July Marks National Park and Recreation Month

Summer is in full swing and what better way to enjoy it than by celebrating National Park and Recreation Month? Getting out to park and recreation areas will not only increase your health by keeping you active, but it also helps your well-being to be involved in the community.

Parks provide various types of recreational activities from swimming pools to playgrounds to athletic leagues and various types of environmental and special event programs. Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has celebrated July as the official National Park and Recreation Month. This year’s theme is Get Wild! The idea is to get wild about everything from workouts and wellness to just getting wet and wild at the pool or even wild with nature.

There are lots of activities that take place outdoors and make parks and recreational areas a fun place to be during the summer! There are activities for all ages and abilities that help get you moving and shaking while enjoying and learning about the nature surrounding you. Some various activities include walking, biking and hiking. You could also paddle in a canoe, fly a kite, or just enjoy a fun family picnic in the park! Regardless of what activity you choose to participate in, you are sure to have a fun time in the sun! Just remember to where sunscreen and stay hydrated during the hot summer days!

So what are you waiting for? Time to Get Wild and stay active! And remember: in case of an emergency never hesitate to call 9-1-1. For more information on Get Wild activities, visit http://www.nrpa.org/july/.

Check out the cool video below from Arizona and see how they plan to Get Wild!

July is Bioterrorism, Disaster Education and Awareness Month

Imagine you are sitting at home with your family and you hear an earth-shattering boom come from outside. You and your family jump up in alarm wondering what is going on outside. Whether it is a biological attack or a natural disaster, as Americans we hope we never have to deal with bioterrorism. In this week’s blog, we would like to share some tips on how to be prepared in the event that bioterrorism or a natural disaster happens near you.

WHAT IS BIOTERRORISM?

Bioterrorism covers many types of terroristic events including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (also known as CBRNE). Some examples of CBRNE events include chemical spills, an incident occurring at a nuclear power plant, an explosion, an aerosolized biological agent or even just a naturally occurring disease outbreak started intentionally. But many of these disastrous events can also involve factors out of our control such as Mother Nature. There might be torrential downpours of rain and fierce winds of a hurricane or there might be out-of-control wildfires (think of Hurricane Katrina or the recent Tsunami). Regardless of what the disaster might be that you could potentially be facing, there is one key element to all of these disasters- and that is being prepared to handle them if they happen to you.

Natural and human-caused disasters can occur at anytime and anywhere. The Red Cross encourages three simple steps to be prepared: Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed.

An emergency preparedness kit should include items that you could utilize at home or that you could take with you in case of an evacuation. Some important items to include would be:

·         Water

·         Food

·         Flashlight

·         Medications

·         A multipurpose tool

The next step involves preparing a plan. When preparing a plan, it is helpful to identify responsibilities for each member of the household and plan to work together as a team to get the plan done as efficiently as possible. When emergencies happen, time is of the essence! Lastly, one of the most important parts of a disaster plan is making sure you stay informed about the situation. Make sure you know in advance how local authorities will notify the public with pertinent information during the disaster and how you will get this information, whether it is through the television, radio or internet.  With these tools in place, you can guarantee you will be more prepared for a disaster if one were to strike close to your home. Remember: Get a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed!

http://www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

National Public Educator Forum Conference

The NPEF conference is taking place in two weeks. This group helps 9-1-1 public educators to network with one another and provides members to share information and ideas. This is an excellent model for counties and states to incorporate into the own area. How often do you as a 9-1-1 public educator contact and collaborate with the public educator from the adjoining county? Do you even know who they are? If the answer is no to both questions then why not consider reaching out. You will be surprised to learn of the same challenges that you have with your neighboring 9-1-1 public educator. Why not take it a step further and coordinate a tri-county or statewide meeting with your public educators. Taking these steps in organizing a meeting with your neighbors will prove to be beneficial.

If you do not have the opportunity to meet with educators in your area then make sure to at least sign up for for free membership with the 9-1-1 National Public Educator Forum. Your membership will allow you become acquainted with other educators as well as opportunities to get the help you need in launching or improving your public education program.

The 9-1-1 National Public Educator Forum Conference will be held on July 22-25, 2012, in beautiful San Antonio, Texas. Check out NPEF's new website at www.911npef.org for more information and be sure to "like" their new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/911NPEF.

10 Tips for Water Safety and Keeping Children Safe

Water safety is no joke. A child drowning is more common than we know, and that is why it is more important than ever that we stay alert and prepared when having fun involving water in pools, the ocean or the lake.  Parents and families can utilize these simple water safety tips that can help assure a fun and safe experience is had by all.

-Make sure to teach water safety tips and swimming skills as early as possible

-Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and keep your eyes on them at all times when they are in or around the water

-If you are leaving children with a babysitter, make sure they know water safety and make sure to emphasize the need for constant supervision while in and around water

-Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other types of openings that could cause a child to accidently get stuck or caught up in

-Post CPR instructions and make an effort to learn the procedures

-Keep a first-aid kit nearby

-Have a telephone close by when in or near the water. That way, if there is an emergency, you can dial 9-1-1 immediately

-Keep rescue equipment near the pool. Don’t wait for the paramedics to arrive because you could be losing life-saving seconds. Remember that four to six minutes without oxygen to the brain causes permanent damage and sometimes death.

-Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when your child goes into the pool area

-If a child is ever missing, look for them in the pool or spa first- every second counts!

With these important tips, you should be able to keep you and your family safe in and around the water. Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but safe fun is a must to keep your family happy and healthy! Cell Phone Sally urges you to be prepared and cautious around water- and don’t forget to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWa8No8Af4c&feature=youtu.be

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=9e7bf837443d0210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default