Disaster Assistance for Flood Victims

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management  reports that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a request for disaster assistance to help people recover from damage caused by the severe storms and flooding on September 30, 2010.

This disaster declaration makes assistance available to flooding victims in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

For additional information:

• PEMA Disaster Assistance Press Release
• SBA Disaster Loans Fact Sheet
• Call the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 (Hearing Impaired call (800) 877-8339)
• Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
• Visit: www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Be Thankful for Fire Safety

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends these precautions when cooking this Thanksgiving:

• Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom.  
• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they are 10 years old or older. 
• Keep a close watch on your cooking.  You should never leave cooking food unattended. 
• Keep food packaging and other combustibles away from burners and heat sources. 
• Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly. 
• Don't wear loose sleeves while working over hot stove burners - they can melt, ignite or catch on handles of pots and pans spilling hot oil and other liquids. 
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried. 
• Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires.  Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop.  Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials. 
• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.  
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.  
• Never leave the fryer unattended.  Most units do not have thermostat controls.  If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.  
• Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use.  The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.  
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.  
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles.  If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.  
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.  
• The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.  
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.  Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.  If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher.  If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

Internship Opportunity

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has an opening for a Tier II Intern (Paid). Deadline for applying is December 6, 2010. For more information, visit the Job Opportunities section of the OEM website at www.phila.gov/ready.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Make Your Home Winter Ready

It's starting to get cold out there. So take some time this fall, before it gets too cold; and get your home ready for the winter with a few simple steps:

• Seal drafts: Use door sweeps, weather-stripping or caulk to close spaces around exterior doors or windows. Caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to drafty spots. Install outlet gaskets in electrical outlets that share a home's outer walls. Seal outside leaks with weather-resistant caulk or masonry sealer for brick.
  
• Insulate walls and attics.
• Check the heat: Turn your heat on now, to make sure it's working, before the bitter cold weather descends.
• Make sure your heating ducts are well connected and insulated. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-backed tape (duct tape actually doesn't stand up to the job over time).
• Install storm windows or use a window insulation kit to cover windows with plastic sheeting from the inside.
• Inspect chimneys and fireplaces before use.
• Reverse ceiling fans: By reversing its direction, the fan will push warm air downward.
• Run generators outside. Open windows and fans do not provide enough ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide build-up.
  

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks

 

When adjusting your clock for Daylight Saving Time on November 7, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management reminds you to refresh your emergency supplies and check your smoke alarm battery.

Every household should have at least a three-day supply of bottled water, non-perishable foods and essential medications set aside for each member of the family, including pets.

Take the time now to:

• Make sure your radio and flashlight work properly.
• Check the expiration date of your extra batteries.
• Open your first-aid kit and look for expiration dates of the items, such as aspirin or any other medications in your supplies.
• Refresh your emergency supply of not-easily-perishable food and water.
• Review your household emergency plan with the members of your household and update the emergency contacts, if necessary.
• Hold an emergency drill, like a home fire drill.
• Remember your pets – include them in your plan and refresh their emergency supply of food and water.

For more information on emergency supplies and how to develop a household emergency plan, visit the What to Have: In Your Head, In Your Home, In Your Hand, For Pets, and For Special Needs pages on www.phila.gov/ready.