Cold Weather Precautions

• Check on loved ones and neighbors, especially those in fragile health, preferably by telephone. Pay particular attention to older neighbors who may be outdoors attempting to shovel snow or engaged in some other activity.
• Hydrate - Drinks with caffeine, sugar and alcohol take longer for your body to absorb. Water is usually the best choice.
• People should be aware of the amount and intensity of their physical activity, both indoors and out. Cold weather puts additional strain on the body, especially the heart.
• If you have to go outside, wear appropriate clothing that will adequately insulate you from the cold and provide protection from the wind.
• Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles. Temperatures in vehicles can drop rapidly.
• Check heating units. Poorly operating or damaged heating units can release carbon monoxide gas.
• Test carbon monoxide detectors for proper operation and battery life. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that kills more than 500 Americans every year.
• Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, and garage or near a window. Be sure to have installed a carbon monoxide detector in your home to alert you and your family to this "silent killer."

Summer brings sunshine and hot temperatures. Extremely high temperatures can be dangerous. Make sure you take the proper steps to keep you, your family, and your pets safe. If you do not have access to properly functioning air conditioning, below is a list of available cooling centers.

Did you know that flooding causes more deaths than any other weather hazard? People underestimate the force and power of water.

• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
• A foot of water will float many vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups.

Urban areas are especially prone to flash floods due to the large amounts of concrete and asphalt surfaces that do not allow water to penetrate into the soil easily.

Flooding - IEMA

Turn Around Don't Drown-NWS

At any given moment, nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are in progress over the face of the earth, and lightning strikes the earth 100 times a second. On average, the United States gets 100,000 thunderstorms each year. Lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm. In the United States, between 75 and 100 Americans are hit and killed each year by lightning. Thunderstorms can also bring heavy rains, strong winds, hail, and tornadoes.

What is lightning? Lightning is an electrical discharge that results from the buildup of positive and negative charges within a thunderstorm. When the buildup becomes strong enough, lightning appears as a “bolt”. This flash of light occurs within clouds or between the clouds and the ground A bolt of lightning reaches a temperature approaching 50,0000 F in a split second. The rapid heating and cooling of air near the lightning causes thunder.

Myth- Lightning never strikes in the same place. Fact- Lightning will strike several times in the same place in the course of one discharge.

Some thunderstorms can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. Lightning can strike from storms ten or more miles away. Lightning has been known to come from a clear blue sky, “a bolt out of the blue”. It is important to learn and recognize the danger signs and plan ahead. Normally thunderstorms contain dark, towering or threatening clouds. You may hear distant thunder and lightning. Because light travels much faster than sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before the resulting thunder is heard.
Estimate the number of miles you are from a thunderstorm by counting the number of seconds between a flash and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by five.
Important-You are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder. Knowing how far away a storm is does not mean that you’re in danger only when the storm is overhead.

What does a severe thunderstorm watch and warning mean? A severe thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds 58 miles per hour or more, hail three-fourths in diameter or greater) is likely to develop. This is the time to locate a safe place in the home and tell family members to watch the sky and listen to the radio or television for more information. A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. At this point, the danger is very serious and everyone should go to a safe place, turn on a battery-operated radio or television, and wait for the “all clear” by the authorities.

Have disaster supplies on hand:
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Nonelectric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes

What can you do during a thunderstorm?

IF INDOORS:
• Secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture that could blow away or cause damage or injury. Take light objects inside.
• Listen to battery operated radio or television for the latest storm information.
• Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire. Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time.
• Avoid bathtubs, water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity.

IF OUTDOORS:
• Attempt to get into a building or car.
• If no structure is available, get to an open space and squat low to the ground as quickly as possible. If in the woods, find an area protected by a low clump of trees. Never stand underneath a single large tree in the open. Be aware of the potential for flooding in low-lying areas.
• Crouch with hands and knees.
• Avoid tall structures such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.
• Stay away from natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles, or camping equipment.
• Stay away from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
• If you are isolated in a level field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (which indicates that lightning is about to strike), bend forward, putting your hands on your knees. A position with feet together and crouching while removing all metal objects is recommended. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Develop an emergency plan. In case family members are separated from one another during a storm have a plan for getting back together. Make sure all family members know how to respond after a thunderstorm. Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water. Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 and which radio station to tune for emergency information.

Steady Siren Tone For 3 Minutes = Take Cover!

This sound indicates either: 1) a Tornado Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service  or 2) a confirmed sighting of a tornado or funnel cloud within the Elk Grove Village area by a trained spotter.

Note: The sirens may be activated when there are reports of winds in excess of 70mph as part of a severe weather warning. Under NO circumstances should you go outside to "see" if there is a funnel cloud or tornado approaching.

The emergency sirens are sounded primarily to alert people who are outdoors to seek cover. If there is no way to find immediate shelter, lie flat, face down, in a ditch or low area, and cover your head until the tornado passes.

If you are already indoors, you may not even be able to hear the sirens. During thunderstorms, be aware of conditions outside and stay tuned to your radio or television if the weather appears to be threatening.

• Go to the basement or lowest level of the building. Move to an interior room and stay away from outside walls, windows, and doors.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, and cafeterias.
• Have a battery-operated radio and flashlight with you as power failures often occur during severe weather.
• Sirens will sound for 5 minutes every 10 minutes until the warning is lifted. If you hear the sirens again later, it is because of an additional sighting and/or warning. Seek shelter again!

There will be no "All Clear" siren signal. Please do not call 9-1-1 for siren information. Emergency personnel will be busy preparing for rescue operations once it is safe to go outside.

For more information on tornadoes and how to prepare in advance for severe weather visit the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov.

Red Cross Tornado Checklist

Make sure you have a "Go Bag" ready with anything you might need to keep your pet comfortable and healthy in the event of an emergency where you would have to temporarily leave your home. This includes: a blanket, leash, food, water, and medicine.

Camping Safety

Camping can be fun and provide a lot of adventure. But you need to mindful about the dangers of the outdoors to ensure the safety of everyone in your group. This information is also helpful even for spending time in your own backyard or garden.

Tents

Tents can be easily ignited by a flame source such as candles, fuel fire stoves, lanterns (such as kerosene lanterns), or sparks from a campfire. Make sure tents are placed at a safe distance from campfires. Purchase flame-retardant tents whenever possible and always extinguish a campfire and other flames before you go to sleep.

Insects

Aside from causing itching, pain, redness, and swelling, many insects can also spread a number of diseases. When outside for long periods of time, cover your skin and avoid scented products which, attract bugs. Use insect repellent and if you are out at dusk or dawn, make sure to wear long sleeves and long pants.

Poison Oak and Ivy

Contact with one of these plants can cause itching and uncomfortableness that lasts for weeks. The culprit is urushiol, the toxic substance that causes the reaction. This oil can be found on every part of the plants. The skin reaction usually develops 12 to 48 hours after exposure. If you know you have come in contact with one of these plants, immediately rinse your skin with rubbing alcohol or dishwashing detergent.  Apply wet compresses, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream to the skin to reduce itching and blistering.

More information can be found at the U.S. Forest Service and Centers for Disease Control.

What is an Earthquake?

An earthquake in the central United States is caused by a crack or rupture in Earth’s tectonic plates. The faults are buried deep underground and are generally categorized as “seismic zones”, or areas where many smaller faults are clustered together to produce seismic activity. Illinois is most impacted by the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone (WVSZ), the epicenter of which is located between Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and West Franklin, Indiana. This zone is capable of producing magnitude 7.0 earthquakes. The southern tip of Illinois lies along the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), which is known for earthquake activity.

Can It Really Happen Here?

Yes! In April of 2008, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in the WVCZ struck near Mt. Carmel, Illinois and was felt in 16 states! During the winter of 1811-1812, three (3) large earthquakes (M7.5-M8.0) and thousands of aftershocks affected the NMSZ and were felt as far as 1,000 miles away! At that time, the area was sparsely populated; however, if such an event were to occur today, it would devastate the region with projected damages of $60 to $80 billion.

How Strong Does an Earthquake Feel?

The most common effect people feel is shaking. After the initial earthquake, several aftershocks may be felt. These aftershocks may be as strong as the initial earthquake. It is important to note that as the magnitude measurement increases by one whole number, the size of the earthquake increases by a factor of 10. Therefore, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake is 10 times larger than a 5.0, and a 7.0 earthquake is 100 times larger than a 5.0. Strong earthquakes may cause buildings to collapse, gas lines to rupture, roadways to crack and heave, or power lines to fall.

How Can We Prepare?

Though we cannot predict when a large earthquake will affect our area, we can make sure we are ready with the below checklist:

*Always have at least 3 days’ worth of necessary supplies on hand (for any emergency)

*Know that most standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage due to earthquakes – talk to your agent now about adding earthquake insurance

*Make sure you know how to shut off your utilities (gas, water, electric) in case the lines fail

*If an earthquake happens – Drop to the floor, Seek cover, and Hold on to something sturdy until the shaking stops. If you are outside when the shaking starts, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines. If you are driving, stop safely as soon as possible. Do not stop under overpasses or on bridges.