3 Steps to Storm Safety
PREP & PLAN | CHECK | ACT
Take some time out now while it’s fresh in your mind to get your preparation finalized. Being prepared for storms also prepares you for other types of disaster. Take these 3 small steps to safety:
- Prep & Plan - Emergency phone numbers by telephones, a disaster kit with 14 day supplies & important documents in waterproof containers. Have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and inspect your home for potential hazards (Items that can fall, break or catch fire) and correct them. Learn basic safety measures like CPR & First Aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas and elctricity in your home. Teach children how and when to call 911. Learn about shelters and evacuation routes before you need them. Some shelters, such as pet shelters, require advance registration.
- Check - When a watch is issued, be sure to check your supplies and make sure there is nothing missing, damaged or spoiled. Be sure to replenish water. Know that the batteries you purchased are fresh and your flashlights and other battery-operated tools are working. Put any part of your Family Disaster Plan into effect that takes preparation such as securing a boat or special arrangements for pets.
- Act - When a warning is issued, that means within the next 24 hours the weather is going to deteriorate rapidly and it will be unsafe to leave your home or shelter. You should be in a safe location to ride out that storm at this point. Your plan should be in full effect and supplies ready to be used. Remember that Aventura is in Zone B and evacuates for any storm Category 2 or higher.
Splashing Safely Into Summer
Drowning is the number one cause of death for children in Miami-Dade County. Since the beginning of 2007, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has responded to 199 drownings. The majority of these incidents involved children under 16 years old, and 32 percent of them were children under five years of age.
A drowning can occur at any time in a split second. In Miami-Dade County, the majority of drownings occur between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Within this time range, the peak hours tend to be in the late afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The peak months for drownings are just around the corner; they are May, June, July and August. In order to make sure you have a safe summer, remember the following guidelines:
- Always think of your pool as a potentially dangerous place.
- Always directly supervise children when they are in a pool or around any body of water. Youngsters can drown in just a few inches of standing water. Bathtubs and large buckets also pose a threat. Most childhood drownings occur without an adult immediately present.
- Keep a phone at poolside so you don’t have to leave the kids to answer the phone and so you can call 9-1-1 immediately in case of an emergency.
- Never assume that swimming lessons or flotation devices can completely protect a child from drowning. Don’t have a false sense of security!
- Install alarms on all doors that lead into a pool area so you will know if a door to the pool has been opened.
- Secure long hair to the head, braid it, or cover it with a cap. Long hair can get suctioned into pool vacuum lines.
- Ensure that all family members learn how to swim and what to do if they see someone in trouble in the water.
- Have your family members learn CPR. Drowning victims have a better chance of surviving if they get assistance right away.
- Know and comply with the Florida and Miami-Dade County statutes for pool fencing and pool safety. Pool fencing has been proven to save children’s lives.
Since January of this year, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has already responded to 11 drownings. Safety and supervision are key to making this a safe and memorable summer.