04Jan / 2023

Resolve to Be Ready, Part II

A calendar with the year 2023 circled in red marker.

January is the time many of us make resolutions for the new year. Sometimes resolutions feel too big and long drawn out. As a result, our motivation to see them through can peter out before the end of the year.

Last year, we suggested 12 micro-resolutions to help you prepare your health for emergencies. Here are a dozen more ways to resolve to be ready this year.

January

Be prepared to prevent data loss. Data loss happens more often than you might think.

This month’s micro-resolution is to back up your important files. These include medical records, financial documents, family photos, and emails. Save at least one extra copy of your files to an external storage device or the cloud. This ensures you can still access the information if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.

February

February is National Canned Food Month. Canned goods are an emergency preparedness staple. And for good reason. They are reasonably affordable, require little to no preparation, and have a long shelf life.

As often as people buy and cook with canned goods, some can find food labels confusing. This month’s micro-resolution is to improve your food label literacy. One way to do that is to get the FoodKeeper app to help you maximize the freshness and quality of the items in your emergency food supply.

March

Severe weather, including tornadoes, can happen at any time of year. They are, however, more likely to happen in most places during the spring months(1)

This month’s micro-resolution is to take a SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Program class. You’ll learn:

Basics of thunderstorm development
Fundamentals of storm structure
Identifying potential severe weather features
Information to report
How to report information
Basic severe weather safety

Classes are free and open to the public.

Storm spotters are volunteers. They help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

April

April is National Financial Literacy Month.

Developing a habit of putting money aside—even if it is a small amount—is the easiest way to develop an emergency fund and build financial resiliency. Without savings, the financial shock of an emergency could affect you, your family, and your community.

This month’s micro-resolution is to download and fill out the “Your Disaster Checklist” (available in multiple languages). Use it to help you keep track of account numbers, valuables, medical information, and more.

May

May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day. Effective handwashing is a practical skill that you can easily learn, teach to others, and use every day to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.

This month’s micro-resolution is for parents and caretakers. Teach the children in your care when and how to wash their hands.

June

June is Pet Preparedness Month. It’s also the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What better time of year to practice evacuating with your pet:

Train your pets to get in and stay in their carriers by making it a comfortable place.
Take your pets for rides in a car like one you would evacuate in.
Know where your pet might hide when stressed or scared. Practice catching your pet, if needed.

Have your entire family practice evacuating with your pets so everyone knows what to take, where to find the pets, and where to meet.

July

Most locations in the contiguous United States will experience their hottest day of the year between July 15-31.(2) Hot weather—regardless of when it happens and how long it lasts—can cause heat-related illness.

This month’s micro-resolution is to learn the symptoms of heat-related illness what to do if someone shows signs of heat stroke, exhaustion, or cramps.

August

August 20 is National Radio Day. Radio is one of many ways you can stay informed before, during, and after an emergency. Other ways include local television, social media, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).

WEAs look like text messages. They are designed to get your attention with a unique sound and vibration repeated twice. This month’s micro-resolution is to check the settings on your mobile device to make sure you are receiving WEAs.

September

September is not just National Preparedness Month. It is also National Self-Care Awareness Month. Emergencies, including disease outbreaks and natural disasters, can cause increased stress. You and others might feel fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions. It’s important to take care of your family and friends, but it should be balanced with care for yourself.

This month’s micro-resolution is to find one small way each day to care for yourself. Yours might include:

connecting with friends and family. Talking with people you trust about your feelings and concerns can relieve stress.
showing kindness to others. According to researchers, helping others release hormones that boost your mood and wellbeing
practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises. Relaxation techniques can help slow your breathing, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension and stress.

October

October is Health Literacy Month. People need information they can find, understand, and use to make the best decisions for their health every day. The same is true during an emergency when there’s usually an increase in the amount of information and speed at which it comes out.

One thing you can do to improve your health literacy is to ask questions of healthcare professionals. For example, your pharmacist is trained to help you manage and improve your health every day. They can give you patient-centered answers to questions on many topics, including emergency preparedness. Ask your pharmacist these questions the next time you visit the pharmacy.

November

Winter is coming. It may arrive in some parts of the country before the month end.

This month’s micro-resolution is to prepare your car for winter. Now is a good time to equip your vehicle with a roadside emergency kit. Winterize your ride with the following items:

Food and water
Ice scraper and a folding shovel
A flashlight and batteries
Car and portable chargers for your cellphone
First-aid supplies
Winter clothes, blankets, and sleeping bags
Road flares
Jumper cables

December

December is Hi Neighbor Month. Neighbors can be an important source of assistance in the hours, days, and weeks after an emergency. Because they live close—maybe even next door—neighbors might be your first and best option for help after a tornado or during a power outage.

This month’s micro-resolution is to find a way to get involved with your neighbors. Ways to get involved include

offering to help your neighbors, especially people who are older, live alone or with a disability, or rely on electricity-dependent equipment, prepare for emergencies.
involving trusted neighbors in your emergency action planning.
joining an organization active in disaster, such as your local Medical Reserve Corps Unit or Community Emergency Response Team.

Resources

Public Health Matters: Resolve to Be Ready
Resolve to be Ready Social Media Toolkit (FEMA)

References

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

08Sep / 2021

More Than Meals: MOW Delivers Preparedness, Response Help

This student-authored post is published by CPR in partnership with Medill News Service and the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of CPR or CDC.

One sizzling day this summer, Mo Perry made what she thought would be a routine visit to her Meals on Wheels (MOW) client, Alvin.

Perry didn’t expect to find Alvin looking disoriented and his residence overheated. Alvin’s air conditioner was broken. And his visual impairment had made it difficult for him to call for help.

“In Alvin’s case, he’s really isolated,” Perry said. “If we hadn’t stopped by, it could have been a bad situation.”

Perry’s story is an example of how MOW volunteers deliver on the organization’s More Than a Meal motto. Food deliveries double as welfare checks.

Checking on older adults during emergencies is important because they are disproportionately affected by extreme weather, said Dr. Christine Kistler, a professor of geriatric medicine at the University of North Carolina.

“Older adults tend to be the population that dies during snowstorms, heat waves, and natural disasters because they have less physiological reserve,” Kistler said. She explained that in addition to differences in their physiology, older adults are generally less aware of when they’re overheating or freezing and should seek out a supportive environment. Sometimes, they don’t know where to turn.

If a client doesn’t answer the door, MOW drivers follow an established protocol. First, they try to contact the client and then the client’s emergency contacts. If all else fails, they call first responders. “We don’t quit for the day until we know they are okay,” said Natalie Huggins, a MOW volunteer coordinator based in Richland, Washington.

Volunteers also use their visits with clients to help them prepare for and respond to emergencies. MOW chapters in the Pacific Northwest delivered fans during this summer’s extreme heat.

In Lee County, Florida, it’s not winter storms but hurricanes that worry MOW administrators. Rebecca Busby, Food Programs Manager at MOW of Lee County, said her chapter provided clients with shelf-stable food ahead of Hurricane Elsa in July 2021.

Older adults can face barriers to accessing emergency supplies on their own. Many older adults have mobility disabilities that make it difficult for them to run essential errands.

Older adults might not have the financial means to pay for unanticipated expenses, according to Janaira Quigley, a former program manager at MOW in San Diego. When clients are struggling to cover their living costs on a fixed income, emergency supplies can be a low priority. “Emergency preparedness, that’s way down on the list,” Quigley said. “They’re just trying to make ends meet.”

In addition to supplies, MOW volunteers their clients stay informed.

In Florida, volunteers ensured that their clients stayed up to date as Hurricane Elsa approached. Meals came with a flyer with information on what they need to prepare for, what they can do with their pets, and what they need to have on hand, said Rebecca Busby.

Information about COVID-19, including tips on how older adults can stay safe, was distributed nationally, according to Carter Florence, Senior Director of Strategy and Impact at MOW America.

“I think for seniors, information is important. They don’t hop online, and they don’t get text messages,” said Sarah Hall, Development Director of MOW in Spokane, Washington. “A big barrier is making sure that people stay in contact and not just assume that they know what’s going on.”

MOW is also an important source of information for first responders. Chapters in Florida help responders to identify people who are at increased risk of injury and death during emergencies like hurricanes.

As for Mo Perry in Minnesota, the experience of working with clients like Alvin proves the importance of community connections to building resilience. “I think of it sort of like roots underground that intermingle and hold the trees in place when the storms come,” she said.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

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29Aug / 2017

Beat the Heat at DragonCon

Drago Con — Photo Credit: Jeffrey Hall, Office of Minority Health & Health Equity

DragonCon is a convention that combines science fiction and fantasy, with gaming, comics, and entertainment for the largest multi-genre event in the world. In 2016, an estimated 77,000 people from around the world attended this annual event that is held every Labor Day weekend in downtown Atlanta.

“This is a bad idea,” she said.

Hellboy Cosplay — Cosplay is a shortened form of 2 words – costume and play. It is the practice of dressing as characters from books, video games, movies, etc. Many view it as an art form and take great pride in their costumes, especially the ones made by hand.

“No, it’s cool. I have it all planned out,” I replied.

“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that but ok…”

The topic was my costume. The problem was the weather; namely that it was 90⁰ F degrees outside with 85% humidity, making it feel closer to 100 degrees. I was covered from head to toe in clothing that, while not heavy, did not promote airflow. My only exposed body parts were my face and one of my hands. Unfortunately, both were painted red and covered with two layers of barrier spray to prevent sweating and make the makeup water resistant. I’d worked hard on my Hellboy cosplay and DragonCon was the reward for my six weeks of work.

“It’ll be fine. What’s the worst that can happen?” I said.

Prioritize your health

Four hours later, I was back in my hotel room with a case of vertigo so bad that I couldn’t walk down the hall without hugging the wall. I made it back to my room, fighting the urge to vomit with every step. I was too disoriented to shower. All I could do was grab a cool, damp washcloth for my head, and a bottle of water to drink before lying down hoping that it would help make me feel better. Instead, I ended up in bed for the next 24 hours instead of enjoying DragonCon.

How could this happen? I work in public health and know about the dangers of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Yet, there I was, confined to my bed because in all the excitement of the convention I had made a series of bad decisions that could be traced back to one thing: I prioritized my costume over my health. Each decision felt small, so small that I don’t think it would matter. And, even when I knew better, they all added up to dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Stay cool. Stay hydrated. Stay informed.

Wear appropriate clothing. If you are participating in DragonCon, it’s difficult to dress with the weather in mind. Most decisions about cosplay are made without considering the weather. That said, do your best.
Limit your time in the sun. Even though all the big photoshoots happen outdoors, do your best to stay in shaded areas and avoid going into the sun until it is necessary.
Stay Hydrated. While drinking water can equate to more bathroom breaks, it’s important to drink plenty of water and some sports drinks to replace your body’s salt and minerals.
Do not let yourself get thirsty. Once you’re thirsty, you already dehydrated and nothing wrecks a convention faster than passing out.
Be aware of the temperature and extreme heat alerts. You may be able to adjust your cosplay and activity roster based on weather reports.
Learn to recognize signs off heat exhaustion and address them immediately. It’s hard to listen to your body with all the excitement of DragonCon, but it’s important. If you start feeling queasy or lightheaded, it’s time to retreat to a cool area, sit down, and have something to drink. If you know what to look for, you can address it much more quickly.

Pay attention to your body

Upon reflection, there were four big things that led to my downfall:

I ignored the weather. I decided to dress as a character who wore multiple layers of clothing. Because my clothing was hot, that meant that I needed to be able to sweat more.
I sealed my face paint. My cosplay required face paint and I used a sealant to prevent sweating, which limited my body’s ability to cool off.
I did not drink water. I needed help getting in and out of my cosplay, which added a level of difficulty when I needed to use the bathroom. To avoid frequent trips to the restroom, I didn’t drink enough water to stay hydrated.
I did not listen to my body. I started feeling sick within minutes of standing in the sun. Instead of listening to my body, which was telling me to find a cool place to sit down and drink some water, I stayed outside in the sun. It wasn’t until the world started spinning, along with my stomach, that I realized I couldn’t stay.

I would say it was a rookie mistake but it wasn’t. I just didn’t prioritize my health and well-being and as a result, I experienced heat exhaustion, which could have easily escalated to heat stroke.

DragonCon is meant to be a fun event. Being aware of how things can go badly is the first step in preventing them. The most important lesson I learned from my encounter with heat exhaustion was that recovering from it takes a lot longer than preventing it in the first place.

Now I do my best to be prepared. I hope you do, too.

Happy DragonCon!

Don’t forget to stop by the official CDC table in the lobby of the Hilton Atlanta.

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30Jun / 2017

Prepare to be patriotic!

Young blonde boy carrying an American Flag over a wooden Bridge.

The 4^th of July is a day to celebrate Uncle Sam, enjoy the summer weather, and spend time with family and friends. Keep these five things in mind as you plan your 4^th of July celebration.

Prevent fireworks injuries

Fireworks can cause death and injury, including burns, cuts, bruises, and foreign objects in your eyes.

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper, which often means they were made for professional displays and could be dangerous for consumers.
Make sure you and your family watch fireworks displays from a safe distance.
Call 911 immediately if someone is injured from fireworks.

Beat the heat

In hot temperatures your body may be unable to properly cool itself. This could lead to serious health problems.

Drink plenty of fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Put on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher – the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels.
Stay in the shade!

Don’t let a stomach bug slow you down

The summer months typically see a spike in reports of foodborne illness. Keep the food safe at your 4^th of July picnic or BBQ.

Use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry and ready to eat foods, like raw fruits and vegetables.
Use a food thermometer to make sure meat and poultry are cooked hot enough to kill harmful germs.
Don’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours – one hour if the outside temperature is over 90 degrees. Keep perishable food in an insulated cooler packed with ice or ice packs.

Prepare to take the plunge

Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children 1 to 4 years old than any other cause except birth defects.

Designate a responsible adult to watch all children swimming or playing in or around water. Drowning occurs quickly and quietly, so adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity while supervising children.
Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
Always swim with a buddy. Whenever possible choose swimming sites that have lifeguards.
Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
Know the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous.

Fight the bite

Bugs, including mosquitoes, ticks, and some flies can spread diseases like Zika, dengue, and Lyme disease.

Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain at least 20% DEET for protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and a hat. Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks for maximum protection.
Check yourself and your children for ticks. Ticks are easy to remove.

You can find more tips for a safe and healthy summer on the CDC website. Happy 4^th of July!

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02Mar / 2017

When We All Work Together, We’re Stronger Than Ever

Click the image to enjoy the full 360 experience on Facebook.

Atop the bloom of a clover, on the same speck of dust.

Lies a second small town; it exists without fuss.

Those who live in this place are prepped to the nines.

With emergency plans and kits of all kinds.

Take a look, for example, at their fight against flu.

They cover their coughs and every ah … ah … achoo!

The power of preparedness is strong with this lot.

Just look at the line for an annual flu shot.

Or imagine floodwaters sweep through downtown.

Homes are destroyed, possessions are drowned.

And just as survivors feel lonesome and stuck.

Neighbors show up to help throw out the muck.

From outbreaks and mold to extreme heat and cold.

Whole Community extends beyond the household.

There’s no “I” in TEAM for those who live there.

The work of preparedness is something they share.

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01Jun / 2016

Using Data to Prepare for the Next Heat Wave

Extreme heat events, or heat waves, are a leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Between 1999 and 2012, extreme heat caused more than 7,400 heat-related deaths in the United States. Extreme heat increases hospital admissions for heart disease, respiratory disease, and stroke.

CDC’s Climate and Health Program funds 16 states and two cities through the Climate Ready States and Cities Initiative. Through this initiative, CDC helps states and cities partner with local and national climate scientists to understand potential climate changes in their areas, including extreme heat. CDC also assists states and cities in developing and using models to predict health impacts, to monitor health effects, and to identify the areas that are most vulnerable to these effects to help ensure that communities are prepared for the health challenges associated with climate change.

Evaluating the effectiveness of different preparedness actions and interventions is an important step in protecting people from extreme heat. States can use data on heat-related illnesses from the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network to help make decisions about the best ways to prepare for extreme heat.

Identifying who is at risk

The Minnesota Tracking Program analyzed data on heat-related illnesses and deaths to understand more about the people who are at the most risk during extreme heat events. The analysis revealed two new pieces of information:

People between the ages of 15 and 34-years old are at risk during extreme heat–not just people over the age of 65.
The rates of extreme-heat-related hospital stays and emergency department visits were higher across the entire state of Minnesotathan in the metropolitan area that includes the seven counties in and around the Twin Cities.

State and local health professionals used the tracking data to develop and update maps showing areas with populations that are at the highest risk for illness or death during heat waves. They are using the maps to identify areas that need additional support and planning to prepare for heat waves.

Taking action and being prepared

The 2006 North American heat wave began in mid-July of that year. Between July 15 and August 27, 140 people died as a result of extreme heat in California, which had the most severe death toll in the country due to heat. An additional 515 people were suspected to have died from this period of extreme heat in California. The heat wave resulted in an estimated $133 million in health-related costs for the state of California.

Heat waves will continue to impact all regions of California, including urban, rural, inland, and coastal areas. These periods of extreme heat are expected to get longer and to become more frequent over time. In order to inform preparedness initiatives for the extreme heat, the California Tracking Program conducted a study to determine whether heat alerts accurately predicted the times when people suffered the most heat illness.

The findings from the study provided scientific proof of a link between heat alerts and heat illness. Decision-makers in San Jose used the results to approve opening cooling centers as part of the city’s heat alert response plan. Cities and counties nationwide must be prepared in this way to respond to heat alerts and to take preventative actions, such as opening cooling centers where people can gather for life-saving relief from the heat.

The California Tracking Program and the National Weather Service (NWS) are conducting similar studies in other parts of California, including Los Angeles. This information will help cities to make decisions about heat wave preparedness policies and help NWS refine its heat alert system for each region.

Learn more about extreme heat at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat

Check out this infographic about how to prepare yourself and your loved ones for the next heat wave.
Check out the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network’s Info by Location feature to view data and information on extreme heat for your county.

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Category Archives: extreme heat

More Than Meals: MOW Delivers Preparedness, Response Help