BBQ Safely This Labor Day Weekend

Many Labor Day Weekend celebrations include a tasty barbecue, so be sure to stay safe around the grill. Barbecue grills are regulated by the Philadelphia Fire Code and the Philadelphia Fire Department recommends the following precautions:

• Propane and charcoal grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose a fire hazard and a risk of exposing occupants to deadly carbon monoxide.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic. Grills should be at least 10 feet away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• BBQ grills are not allowed on apartment building balconies or decks.
• BBQ grills are allowed on porches and decks of one and two family houses.
• Never store spare propane cylinders under or near a grill or inside the home.
• Do not transport propane cylinders in the trunk of a passenger vehicle.
• Keep matches, lighters, and starter fluid out of the reach of children in a locked drawer or cabinet.
• Children should never be allowed to start outdoor cooking equipment.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Do not wear loose fitting clothing while cooking.
• Use long BBQ mitts and long-handled grilling tools to protect the chef from heat and flames.
• Always turn off valves when not in use.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• To guard against the possibility of damage or explosion, burners, tubing and piping should be clean and free from insects, dust and debris.
• When purchasing a grill, select one that bears the approval mark of an independent testing laboratory.

Mayor Nutter Provides Update on Made In America Festival

Mayor Michael A. Nutter and city officials provided a media update on details about the City of Philadelphia’s plans to welcome the Made in America Festival, noting that construction is well under way and road closures have already begun.

The festival will take place on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2.  Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

“Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and a major destination for music, arts and culture, is delighted to welcome visitors from all over the country to this truly national music festival that will enliven our City on Labor Day weekend,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Jay Z and the Budweiser Made in America Festival are setting a new standard in live entertainment with an array of talent and a commitment to benefit local communities through financial support of United Way organizations.”

Specifically, this concert will benefit United Way organizations in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Lancaster County, PA and New York City, enabling them to invest more dollars in their regions, strengthen local communities and positively impact the education, health and well being of the most vulnerable and needy citizens in their service areas.

Attendees are encouraged to visit www.MadeInAmericaFest.com for information on items that are (and are NOT) permitted in the venue, as well as information on concessions, accommodations, and directions.

“The City of Philadelphia has extensive institutional experience in managing large events on the Parkway and other sites in the city. Every year, we have detailed plans for public safety, street access, trash removal and we successfully accommodate 400,000 to 500,000 visitors on the 4th of July at Wawa Welcome America,” the Mayor said. “By contrast, the organizers of the Budweiser Made in America Festival are planning for about 50,000 ticket holders, roughly the size of a sold-out Phillies game.”

The Mayor emphasized that Center City and the Parkway in particular are large enough and city services are efficient and targeted enough to handle thousands of visitors at the same time. “Whether you are going to the Festival or you want to visit our museums and other institutions on the Parkway, this Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia will be a great, fun-filled time for everyone,” he said.

Road Closures
To accommodate the venue construction and two-day music festival, road closures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in key sections of the Fairmount neighborhood began on Tuesday, August 28, with increasing closures up until the start of the Festival on the morning of Saturday, September 1. These closures will continue through Monday, September 3 to accommodate breakdown of the venue.

Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time, in the areas near these festivities before and during Labor Day weekend. (Please see attached list and map for specific road closures by date and a foot print of event or visit www.phila.gov.)

Transportation
SEPTA announced today that it will also provide bus service to-and-from remote event parking at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts.  Regular SEPTA fares will apply for these trips.  Further details on the hours of operation for this bus service will be available closer to the event.

SEPTA will add service on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines throughout the two-day festival, with trains running every five-to-ten minutes before, during and after the performances. Service will also be added on the Norristown High Speed Line, which provides a connection with the Market-Frankford Line at the 69th Street Transportation Center, and on city trolley routes. Details on adjustments to bus service will be announced and in the coming days.

SEPTA and NJTransit will operate under normal weekend schedules.  Festival ticket-holders, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are urged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the festival weekend due to the number of road closures.  For routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org.

Cultural Institutions
Most of the institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will maintain normal hours of operation during the Budweiser Made in America Festival.  The City of Philadelphia is working collaboratively with Parkway cultural institutions to accommodate museum business schedules and reduce the impact of mass transit and vehicular traffic in the Parkway area.  However, city officials are urging museum-goers to proceed with caution and plan accordingly during Budweiser Made in America, especially in the Parkway cultural corridor.

Please refer to the institutions’ websites for information on exhibit hours, ticketing and parking accommodations.

Public Safety
The City of Philadelphia will provide a comprehensive police presence for the duration of Budweiser Made in America to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.  Three Philadelphia Police beacons will be positioned outside the festival, showing where Philadelphia Police Officers are deployed to assist festival goers.  These beacons will be on the northeast corner of 17th Street and the Parkway, the southeast corner of 18th and the Parkway, and the western entrance to Logan Circle between 19th and 20th Streets. (Please see attached map for locations of beacons as well as the joint Police/EMS/Fire Mini-Station or visit www.phila.gov.)

Weather
Budweiser Made in America is a rain or shine event.  In the event of severe weather, listen for announcements and sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text and email alerts or text PHILA to 411911 from your mobile device.  Have a plan if you’re asked to leave the Parkway and take shelter.

Mayor Nutter Release's Details on the Made In America Festival

Mayor Michael A. Nutter released details about the City of Philadelphia’s plans to welcome the “Budweiser Made in America” Festival, an exciting, two-day music festival Labor Day weekend.  This event will be locally produced by Live Nation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and will benefit local United Way organizations. 

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter will curate and headline the blockbuster roster of talent, which includes nearly 30 artists embodying the diverse American musical spirit. They will perform on three stages on the Parkway in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on Saturday, September 1, and Sunday, September 2.  Performances are scheduled to begin at 2:00 P.M. and conclude at 11:00 P.M. on both days.

“Philadelphia, the birthplace of America and a major destination for music, arts and culture, is delighted to welcome visitors from all over the country to this truly national music festival that will enliven our City on Labor Day weekend,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Jay Z and the Budweiser Made in America Festival are setting a new standard in live entertainment with an array of talent and a commitment to benefit local communities through financial support of United Way organizations.”

Specifically, this concert will benefit United Way organizations in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, Lancaster County, PA and New York City, enabling them to invest more dollars in their regions, strengthen local communities and positively impact the education, health and well being of the most vulnerable and needy citizens in their service areas.  

Budweiser Made in America is the first ticket-for-purchase event held on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  Construction of the concert venue will begin on August 23.  Construction will cause minimal interruption to motorists up until August 30, at which time street closures and parking restrictions around the Parkway area will begin and run through September 3.

Access to the venue is limited to Festival ticket-holders only.  Mayor Nutter stressed that tickets for both days of the Festival are still available. Festival goers are urged to purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster.com and Livenation.com.  Approximately 50,000 ticket-holders will enjoy the Festival each day.  Attendees are encouraged to visit www.MadeInAmericaFest.com for information on items that are (and are NOT) permitted in the venue, as well as information on concessions, accommodations, and directions.  

“The City of Philadelphia has extensive institutional experience in managing large events on the Parkway and other sites in the city. Every year, we have detailed plans for public safety, street access, trash removal and we successfully accommodate 400,000 to 500,000 visitors on the 4th of July at Wawa Welcome America,” the Mayor said. “By contrast, the organizers of the Budweiser Made in America Festival are planning for about 50,000 ticket holders, roughly the size of a sold-out Phillies game.”

The Mayor emphasized that Center City and the Parkway in particular are large enough and city services are efficient and targeted enough to handle thousands of visitors at the same time. “Whether you are going to the Festival or you want to visit our museums and other institutions on the Parkway, this Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia will be a great, fun-filled time for everyone,” he said.

Road Closures
To accommodate the venue construction and two-day music festival, road closures along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in key sections of the Fairmount neighborhood will begin on Thursday, August 30, with increasing closures up until the start of the Festival on the morning of Saturday, September 1. These closures will continue through Monday, September 3 to accommodate breakdown of the venue. 

Delays can be expected and motorists are advised to use alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time, in the areas near these festivities before and during Labor Day weekend. (Please see attached list and map for specific road closures by date and a foot print of event or visit www.phila.gov.)

Transportation
SEPTA and NJTransit will operate under normal weekend schedules.  Festival ticket-holders, Parkway cultural institution patrons and others with business or recreational plans are urged to use public transportation to get in and out of Center City during the festival weekend due to the number of road closures.  For routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org and www.njtransit.org. 

Cultural Institutions
Most of the institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will maintain normal hours of operation during the Budweiser Made in America Festival.  Please refer to the institutions’ websites for information on exhibit hours, ticketing and parking accommodations.

Public Safety
The City of Philadelphia will provide a comprehensive police presence for the duration of Budweiser Made in America to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.  Three Philadelphia Police beacons will be positioned outside the festival, showing where Philadelphia Police Officers are deployed to assist festival goers.  These beacons will be on the northeast corner of 17th Street and the Parkway, the southeast corner of 18th and the Parkway, and the western entrance to Logan Circle between 19th and 20th Streets. (Please see attached map for locations of beacons as well as the joint Police/EMS/Fire Mini-Station or visit www.phila.gov.)

Weather
Budweiser Made in America is a rain or shine event.  In the event of severe weather, listen for announcements and sign up at www.readynotifypa.org for text and email alerts or text PHILA to 411911 from your mobile device.  Have a plan if you’re asked to leave the Parkway and take shelter.  

For more information, click on the links below:

• Made In America Road Closures
• Made In America Road Closure Map
• Police Beacons for Made In America Festival

Learn from Last Year's Earthquake

One year ago, the tremors of an earthquake that originated in Virginia shook Philadelphia. Many folks evacuated from their homes and offices, which is not the proper response. Remember the following safety tips the next time tremors shake the City. 

If Indoors:	If Outdoors:
DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a study table or desk. HOLD ON to the leg of the table until the shaking stops.	STAY Outdoors. MOVE AWAY from buildings, streetlights and utility wires. Once in the open, STAY there until the shaking stops.
If there is no table or desk near you: COVER your face and head with your arms. CROUCH in an inside corner of the building.	If you are in a moving vehicle: STOP as quickly as safety permits. STAY in the vehicle. AVOID STOPPING near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.
Do: STAY INSIDE until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. STAY AWAY from glass, windows, outside doors, walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. BE AWARE that electricity may go out and sprinkler systems  or fire alarms may turn on. Warning! Do Not: EXIT a building during the shaking. USE the elevators. When Most Injuries Happen: Most injuries happen when people inside a building try to move to a different location or try to leave the building	Where are the greatest dangers? Directly outside buildings. At exits. Alongside exterior walls. Why Most Casualties Happen: Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Lessons Learned Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake occurred when people ran outside of the buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.

For more information, visit the Earthquake Preparedness page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness

It's been nearly a year since Hurricane Irene impacted Philadelphia, so take the time to review hurricane and tropical storm preparedness.

Prepare for a Hurricane or Tropical Storm:

• Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify tropical storm and hurricane threats:
• Tropical Storm Watch: Issued when there is a threat of tropical storm conditions in 24 to 36 hours.
• Tropical Storm Warning: Issued when a tropical storm is expected within 24 hours.
• Hurricane Watch: Issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions in 24 to 36 hours. 
• Hurricane Warning: Issued when dangerously high water and rough seas are expected in 24 hours or less.
• Develop a Household Emergency Plan, know your evacuation route and have someplace to go (a friend or relatives house) if told to evacuate.
• Have emergency supplies, such as a Shelter-in-Place Kit, and be sure to include a portable radio with extra batteries to stay tuned to local news for emergency alerts
• Have a Go Bag of emergency supplies ready in case you have to evacuate.
• Secure your property.
• To protect your windows from high winds, cover them with pre-cut plywood or if you have storm shutters make sure they are in working condition.
• Bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down to keep them from blowing away.
• Keep all trees and shrubs on your property well trimmed to avoid falling limbs and branches.
• If you have a car, fill the gas tank in case you have to evacuate.
• Hurricanes can also cause flooding and utility interruptions. Be prepared for those hazards as well.
• Find Out First: Sign up for ReadyNotifyPA, the region’s emergency text and email alert system, by logging on to www.readynotifypa.org, by texting PHILA to 411911 or by scanning the code below. (The alerts are free but standard text messaging rates may apply.) 

For more information, visit the Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness page on the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website.

Be Prepared for Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms are forecast for Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, so make sure you are ready.

• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
• Postpone outdoor activities.
• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.
• Unplug appliances, televisions, computers and air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.

For more information on Thunderstorm Safety, visit the Thunderstorms page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management's website.

Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion is a heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures or by not drinking enough fluids. The warning signs include:

• Decreased energy
• Nausea
• Feeling Faint
• Slight loss of appetite
• Being Light-headed
• Feeling Tired or Weak
• Headache
• Muscle Cramps

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to a cool environment, drink fluids, remove excess clothing, and rest. If symptoms worsen, seek medical attention.

Be a Buddy
Check on elderly friends and neighbors, as well as those with medical conditions. Also, make sure your pets stay cool.

When the Philadelphia Health Commissioner issues an Excessive Heat Warning, the City’s Cooling Centers open and the Heatline is activated to provide heat-related information and assistance. The Heatline can be reach at 215-765-9040.

For more information on staying safe this summer, download our Stay Cool Guide or visit the Excessive Heat page and check out the Stay Cool Interactive Map to find public pools, spray grounds and cooling centers near you.