Printer
TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: September 5, 2012
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast
for September 5, 2012. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency
information officer. Coming up, learn about fighting the flu, National
Preparedness Month and the county’s “Fairfax Prepares” campaign and a new
survey from the Red Cross on the use of mobile devices during
emergencies. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found
online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
As kids go back to school this month, there is a higher risk of germs
spreading among classmates and teachers. With flu season just around the
corner, have you taught your kids the right way to be a flu fighter? Is
your classroom ready for flu season? Follow these everyday steps to stop
the spread of germs:
-
Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand
rub.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-
Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage
your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy food.
-
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw
the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-
If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours
after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing
medicine.
More information is online at flu.gov as well as www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu.
September is National Preparedness Month. Are you properly prepared for
the next emergency that will affect our community? In the last two years,
Fairfax County has experienced a derecho storm, floods, tropical storms,
major snow and an earthquake. We’re always at risk for other incidents
such as terrorism. Our whole community needs to be prepared and you can
do your part. To help everyone get prepared, you are encouraged to follow
the “Fairfax Prepares: 30 Ways in 30 Days” campaign. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog for a
daily article with a new preparedness idea.
Each idea will have an “ask” for you to accomplish — something practical – and when you complete the ask (or if you were already prepared for a specific tip), we encourage you to let us know through a quick reply in the blog comments section, use the Twitter hashtag #fairfaxprepares and tweet your accomplishment, like our special Facebook page for this campaign to leave comments and share tips or email us at mailto:publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov that you accomplished an ask. Try to accomplish as many asks as you can in the 30 days and share these tips with your networks of friends, neighbors, faith community members and others. You’ll find each daily “Fairfax Prepares” tip at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog.
According to a survey by the American Red Cross, Americans seem to be becoming increasingly reliant on mobile devices during emergencies to provide information, useful tools and a way to let loved ones know that we are safe. According to the survey, mobile apps now tie social media as the fourth-most popular way to get information in an emergency, following TV, radio and online news. The Red Cross survey found that 20 percent of Americans said they have gotten some kind of emergency information from an app, including emergency apps, those sponsored by news outlets and privately developed apps. Did you know that Fairfax County has an official app for emergency information, news, one-touch calling, GPS maps, social media links, transportation resources and more? The county also has a Voting App that is now available for download on iTunes at the Apple store. If you already have the Fairfax County App on your smartphone, you will need to download the update to access the new voting functionality. If you don’t have the app at all, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/mobile/ for more information.
Finally, this important reminder… even with the advent of mobile technology, please remember to call 9-1-1 when in need of emergency assistance – don’t tweet or post to Facebook. Physically call 9-1-1 if you need emergency assistance.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.
Website Survey 