Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready

Before driving this winter check that the brakes, battery, hoses and belts are in good condition. Regularly check your vehicle to make sure that:

• Fluid levels are full.
• Wiper blades don't streak. Install winter wiper blades.
• Heater and defroster are working properly.
• Radio is working, so you can receive weather updates, road conditions and traffic reports.
• All lights are working.
• Tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. Consider installing snow tires or carry a set of tire chains.

For more information on emergency preparedness, visit Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management at www.phila.gov/ready.

Philadelphia gets a new Mobile Command Post

Philadelphia gets a new Mobile Command Post

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Philadelphia unveils new high tech mobile command post

Philadelphia unveils new high tech mobile command post

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KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - City of Phila. Unveils Its New Rolling Emergency Command Post

KYW Newsradio 1060 Philadelphia - City of Phila. Unveils Its New Rolling Emergency Command Post

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Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Heat Your Home Safely

Heat your home safely this winter by following a few basic tips from the U.S. Fire Administration and Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers:

• Keep a three foot clearance between heating equipment and anything that can burn.
• Inspect and maintain heating equipment regularly.
• Have fixed space heaters installed or inspected by a qualified technician, according to manufacturer’s instructions or applicable codes.
• Buy portable space heaters with labels listing a recognized testing laboratory.
• Turn off space heaters every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
• Choose space heaters that turn off automatically if they tip over.
• Never use a space heater to dry clothing.
• Do not use your oven or stove burners to heat your home.
• Install smoke alarms near every sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Philadelphia Responds to the Earthquake in Haiti

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Keep Warm While Out In The Cold

Stay warm when venturing out this Winter with a few simple tips:

• Dress warmly in layers and stay dry. Wear hats, scarves, and water-repellent coats. Wear mittens instead of gloves; they’ll keep your hands warmer. 
• Cover your mouth. Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth. 
• Don’t overdue do it. Stretch before you go outside. Take your time while shoveling snow or pushing a car. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. And walk carefully on snowy, icy sidewalks! 
• Wind Chill makes you get colder faster, as the wind carries away heat from the body. Make sure small children stay warm - especially babies. Babies will get colder much faster than adults. 
• Frostbite is frozen body tissue, usually skin. It affects the extremities first: fingers, toes, ears, and the tip of the nose. The skin might lose feeling, or look white, pale, hard or waxy. As the area thaws, skin may turn red, blue or purple. Skin can also swell or blister. The victim may also feel tingling, burning or severe pain as the frostbitten tissue thaws. 
• Children lose body heat faster than adults, so they can get frostbite faster.
  

Earthquake in Haiti

On Tuesday, January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the nation of Haiti. In these first critical hours, government and aid organizations are focusing on saving lives and supporting recovery.

For the most up to date information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake.

Locate Loved Ones 
Families of American citizens living in Haiti who are trying to find the status of their loved ones are encouraged to contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747. This line is experiencing a high volume of calls at this time, so please be patience.

In addition, the Red Cross has established a website called Family Links. It is a site where victims in the disaster area can register. In addition, it allows relatives to register if they are looking for people in the affected area. This site accepts all inquiries, regardless of citizenship. Please visit http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/.

Monetary Donations

Cash donations are the most efficient and effective way to help the relief effort in Haiti right now. They allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis. Make a donation to immediately assist the relief effort through the following organizations:   

• American Red Cross - Donate $10 by texting HAITI to 90999. Through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department, the funds will go to support the American Red Cross in Haiti. To make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

• The Samuel Dalembert Foundation - During Friday's 76ers game in Philadelphia, Samuel Dalembert will present a check for $100,000 as his initial contribution to Haiti Earthquake Relief. He has also pledged to match any donations made by fans during the game. Representatives from his charitable partner UNICEF will also be present to detail the efforts on the ground in Haiti in response to the tragedy. Please consider making your own donation today at www.dalembertfoundation.org or www.unicef.org.
   
• Yele Haiti - www.yele.org.
   
• Doctors Without Borders - www.doctorswithoutborders.com.   

Supply Donations

Be advised monetary donations are preferred by the disaster relief organizations. However if you still wish to donate supplies, you can find information on needed relief supplies and where to drop them from the Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia at http://www.hpphilly.org.

Further Relief Efforts
Those looking to donate time, supplies or funds should contact the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) at 703-276-1914, or visit them on-line at http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/. USAID.gov also has a list of Non-Governmental Organizations and instructions on how to help. 

Philadelphia encourages the public to focus their efforts on supporting established aid organizations that are deploying resources to Haiti, and to hold off on traveling there themselves.

Behavioral Health Support
For mental health support during this time of crisis, call the following agencies:

• Salvation Army, Emotional and Spiritual Care - (610) 291-2083, (215)551-0460 
• American Red Cross, Disaster Mental Health - (215) 299-4889 
• City of Philadelphia, Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services, Suicide and Crisis Intervention Hotline - (215) 686-4420 
• City of Philadelphia, Department of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services, Acute Services Line (215) 686-6440

You can also visit the American Psychological Association for information on "Managing Your Distress About The Earthquake From Afar."