Free Advice on Reducing Damage From Future Disasters

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Specialists are on hand at Lowe’s home improvement stores in Downingtown, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Reading today through Monday to provide information about ways to rebuild or remodel that can reduce the risk of damages from future disasters.

They also are there to answer questions about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

Rebuilding or repairing a home after a disaster can be a daunting task – but, with the right information, homeowners can build back safer, smarter and stronger.

FEMA specialists are available in Chester, Lebanon, Philadelphia, and Berks counties to provide that information from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, October 27 through Monday, October 31, at the following Lowe’s:

• 1250 Cornerstone Blvd, Downingtown, PA 19335 
• 1755 Quentin Rd., Lebanon, PA 17042 
• 1500 N. 50th St., Philadelphia, PA 19131 
• 500 Madison Ave., Reading, PA 19605

The outreach teams suggest mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards such as flooding and high winds. They answer questions about FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and explain how best to clean up mold, mildew and bacteria, common problems after flooding. They also offer tips on how to protect structures from future flooding, including information about relocating electrical panels, washers, dryers, and heating and cooling equipment to avoid water damage.

By taking precautions after flooding, residents can safely reoccupy damaged buildings. Spending a few dollars today on mitigation measures can save lives and prevent damages in the thousands of dollars in the future.

Additional help is available at the following websites:

• www.floodsmart.gov - Information regarding FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/build_safer.shtm - Low-cost measures to reduce risk from natural disasters, building and retrofitting tips, and how to build a safe room. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/mitigation.shtm - Information and resources for making your property less susceptible to future losses. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/community_build_safer.shtm - Safer building design and construction for design professionals, home installers, surveyors and state and local officials. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/after.shtm - Resources for different phases of recovering and rebuilding. 
• www.fema.gov/rebuild/smart_strong.shtm - Information and guidance on building safer.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
 

For more information on Pennsylvania’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov and www.pema.state.pa.us.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Be Safe on Halloween

 

For a safe Halloween, follow these tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Trick-or-Treaters:

• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. 
• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult. A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags or wear bright reflective costumes to help drivers see you. 
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat. 
• Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house. 
• Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation. 
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible. 
• Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. 
• Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. 
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. 
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers. 
• Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. 
• Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Halloween Home Safety:

• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls. 
• Keep candle-lit jack-o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended. 
• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting. 
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest. 
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On Halloween, remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely. Also, parents may want to teach their children how to call 9-1-1, if they have an emergency or become lost. For more information about these tips, visit www.cdc.gov/family/halloween.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month - Practice Internet Safety and Security

 

The Internet is a wonderful place for learning and entertainment, but like the world around us, it can pose dangers if precautions are not taken. Follow these tips from the National Cyber Security Alliance.

Keep a Clean Machine:

• Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. 
• Automate software updates: Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if that's an available option. 
• Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices all need protection from viruses and malware.

Protect Your Child’s Personal Information: 

• Help your kids own their online presence: When available, set their privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. Remind them that it’s ok to limit who they share information with.

Connect with Care: 

• When it doubt, throw it out: Links in emails, tweets, posts and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it’s best to delete or, if appropriate, mark as junk email.

Be Web Wise:  

• Stay current. Keep pace with new ways to stay safe online. Check trusted Web sites for the latest information, and encourage those in your household to be web wise.

Be a Good Online Citizen: 

• Safer for me, more secure for all: What you and those in your household do online has the potential to affect everyone – at home, at work and around the world. Practicing good online habits benefits the global digital community.

For more cyber security tips, such as Gaming Tips, Tips for College Students, Mobile Safety and Social Networking, visit the National Cyber Security Alliance at www.staysafeonline.org.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Fire Prevention Week - Develop a Home Fire Escape Plan

Every good home escape plan starts with placing working smoke detectors on each floor of your home. Then sit down with your family and design a Home Fire Escape Plan using these tips:

• Plan escape routes from each level of your home, providing at least two means of escape from each room. (Note: When planning an escape from the second floor or above, you may need home escape ladders to safely exit a window.)
  
• Be sure to provide assistance for those with special needs.
• Have a Family Meeting Place outside your home so everyone can be accounted for after you escape.
• Never go back into a burning building.
• Call 911 from a neighbor's home after you escape.

Click to download a Home Fire Escape Plan Template and a Home Fire Escape Plan Check-List from the Philadelphia Fire Department.

U.S. Small Business Administration Opens a Business Recovery Center in Philadelphia

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of an additional Recovery Center for businesses affected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm in Philadelphia.

The center will open Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 4212 Chestnut Street and will remain open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice.

SBA’s representatives will be on hand at the center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and assist business owners in completing their applications.

“Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said David Dickson, SBA’s Philadelphia district director. The SBA may increase a loan up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements, as verified by SBA, to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by future disasters of the same kind.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private non-profit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

The deadlines for Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee to return applications for physical property damage is November 14, 2011 and to return economic injury applications is June 12, 2012.

To obtain additional assistance call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Those affected by this disaster may fill out a loan application online by visiting SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

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For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: October is Cyber Security Awareness Month. Stay Safe Online

Individuals and business can follow a few simple steps from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to keep themselves, their identities, and information safe online:

• Set strong passwords, and don’t share them with anyone. 
• Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates. 
• Maintain an open dialogue with your children about Internet safety. 
• Limit the amount of personal information you post online and use privacy settings to avoid sharing information widely. 
• Be cautious about what you receive or read online – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information on Cyber Security or to sign up to receive security tips, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Security Tips page at http://www.uscert.gov/cas/tips/.

New Disaster Recovery Center Hours

 

Federal and Commonwealth officials announced a change in the hours of operation for Disaster Recovery Centers. Many individuals needing help after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee have already received assistance and many others are getting their questions answered by phone.

The following are the changes in Disaster Recovery Center hours of operation:

• All Disaster Recovery Centers will be open Monday–Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
• The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Belfield Recreation Center, 2901 West Chew Avenue, will be open on Sunday, October 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
• The Disaster Recovery Center located at the Packard Building, 111 South 15th Street, will be CLOSED on Sundays, starting October 9. 
• On Columbus Day, Monday, October 10, all Disaster Recovery Centers will be OPEN from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Anyone with questions about their application can always call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For Disaster Recovery Center locations go online to www.fema.gov/drclocator.

You also can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.