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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Task & Purpose
Halloween Safety Month
National Fire Prevention Month
Global Handwashing Day
Community Connection
Kid's Corner/Teen Talk: Halloween Safety
Highlights:
October "Holidays"
Halloween Hazards
Shoutout to CJCFPD
Who's Who in the EMA?
Kids and Teens: Trick Or Treats!
TASK PURPOSE
Welcome to the CJCEMA Emergency Management Monthly Newsletter. This document is intended to be used throughout the jurisdiction and will be published monthly with an occasional "special edition" here and there. Look forward to catching up with emergency management news, updates on current events, safety tips, upcoming training opportunities, weather alerts, and maybe even some family friendly fun
Moving forward, I hope this platform becomes a document you turn to for reference, education, and ideas on how to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from potential emergencies and disasters.
If your family, office, agency, school, department, religious organization, home owners association, etc. has ideas or material you would like to see included in this publication, please do not hesitate to reach out: mcheney@cjcfpd org
I look forward to connecting with each of you as, " We Stand Ready "
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 2 | V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 1 0
SAFETY MONTH
Children dressed in costumes excitedly running door to door to trick or treat, festive decorations like glowing jack o lanterns, paper ghosts and dried cornstalks adorning
front porches; these are some of the classic hallmarks of Halloween that make the holiday special for kids and adults alike. Unfortunately, these Halloween symbols and activities can also present lurking fire risks that have the potential to become truly scary By following a few simple tips you can make sure everyone is having fun and staying safe.
Children should always go out trick or treating accompanied by a responsible adult If you have a group of kids, be sure to have a few parents or guardians to come along too The more eyes the better For older kids, set a time for them to be home or follow them at a safe (but not embarrassing) distance
Always walk on sidewalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
If you will be out after dark, make sure that everyone has a flashlight Costumes that are light colored or have reflective components are ideal...glow sticks are fun too.
When selecting a costume, check the fit; if it’s too big, your child may trip while walking. Any costume with a mask should allow for clear vision through eye holes and be loose enough to adequately breathe Help your child select shoes that will allow them to be comfortable while out walking. Avoid costumes with billowing or long trailing fabric. If you are making your own costume, choose material that won’t easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame.
Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. This way you can check for any problem candy or unsealed treats.
There are also tips to take into consideration when decorating your hom According to the Nation Fire Protection Association, decorations were th item first ignited in an estimated average of 900 reported home structur fires per year. Nearly half of decoration fires in homes occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source
These fires cause an estimated average of 8 deaths, 41 injuries and $16 million in direct property damage per year 51% of these incidents were started by candles; 1/5 began in the living room or family room.
Consider using flame less candles or glowsticks in your jack o lantern’s instead of traditional candles.
Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper are highly flammable Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
Keep exits clear of decorations so escape routes are easily accessible.
Remember, slow down, put your phone down and stay alert while driving especially in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween, don't be the one to ruin the fun!
Happy Halloween! Stay safe out there!
OCTOBER
Halloween Safety Month
National Crime Prevention Month
National Sensory Processing Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
First Weekend: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend
Second Week: National Fire Prevention Week
Third Week: National Teen Driver Safety Week
Fourth Week: Red Ribbon Week
1st National Fire Pup Day
2nd International Day of Non violence
3rd Blue Shirt Day/World Day of Bullying Prevention
5th World Teachers’ Day
11th National Coming Out Day
13th International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
15th Global Handwashing Day
20th International ShakeOut Day
26th Lung Health Day
30th Mischief Night
31st Halloween
Never let kids go inside a home to accept candy.
Inspect candy before eating Check the contents of their bags and buckets for choking hazards Make sure candy is all properly sealed (throw away anything that’s been opened or is not packaged).
Check the batteries in your smoke detectors.
Consider safer pumpkin “carving” by painting them or decorating with stickers
OCTOBER
MONTH
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Month In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed it a national observance, making it the longest running public health observance in our country During Fire Prevention Month, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land
This observance provides a great opportunity to inspect your heat sources, maintain your electrical cords and update your smoke alarms.
Here are some ways that you can participate:
Develop a fire escape plan with everyone in your household Make sure everyone knows two ways to escape from every room and establish a meeting spot outside Practice a home fire drill at least twice a year.
Install smoke alarms in your home, on every level, and outside each sleeping area. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year (if required for your make/model).
Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do if they hear one
Bring awareness to this observance and help others understand these tips by sharing information on your social media websites using the hashtag #firepreventionmonth
A very special, heartfelt shoutout to our own men and women of the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District Thank you all so much for your continued dedicated service to the citizens of our District. Your hard work and sacrifice does not go unnoticed.
NATIONAL
"FIREFIGHTERS SAVE MORE THEN HOMES. THEY SAVE HEARTS, MEMORIES AND DREAMS." -UNKNOWN Thank Thank Thank you! you! you!
WHO'S WHO WIN HO'S WHO IN THE TEMA? HE EMA?
Chief Kirk Lair
Emergency Management Director
Melinda Cheney
Assistant Emergency Management Director
Deputy Chief Tim Anderson
Emergency Management Coordinator, CJC Fire Protection District
Chief Bob Muenz
Emergency Management Coordinator, Blue Springs
Sgt. Curtis VanderLinden Sr. Emergency Management Coordinator, Grain Valley
Ryan Alberg
Emergency Management Coordinator, Lake Tapawingo
GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY
Saturday, October 15th! that handwashing with soap and water is one of the best steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others This year’s theme, “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene,” calls for coordinated action.
While its important to wash your hands multiple times a day, we like to bring attention to this global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. Global Handwashing Day is a yearly reminder
In The Community
Many germs that can make people sick are spread when we don’t wash our hands with soap and clean, running water. That's why handwashing is so important, especially at key times such as after using the restroom, when preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Handwashing with soap and water is simple and inexpensive and it can significantly reduce the number of people who get sick. Studies show that handwashing education in the community can:
Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 23% 40%
Reduce the number of school days children miss because of gastrointestinal illness by 29% 57%
Reduce diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by about 58%
Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16% 21%
Which is better, hand sanitizer or handwashing?
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to remove all types of germs and chemicals If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
How do hand sanitizers work differently than handwashing? Alcohol based hand sanitizers work by killing germs on your hands, while washing your hands with soap and water removes germs from your hands. Handwashing will remove all types of germs, but hand sanitizers are not able to kill all types of germs or remove harmful chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals.
CCONNECTION OMMUNITY CCONNECTION OMMUNITY Do wipes remove germs? Hand sanitizing wipes with at least 60% alcohol kill germs on your hands
Baby wipes are not designed to remove germs from your hands They may make your hands look clean, but baby wipes and similar products that do not have at least 60% alcohol do not reliably remove germs.
Disinfecting wipes are designed to kill germs on surfaces Do not use disinfecting wipes to clean your skin Always read and follow the directions on the label to use these products safely
COMMUNITY
Connect with us on Facebook!
Coming soon!
CONNECTION {EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COURSES}
"Preparation through education is less costly than learning through tragedy" Max Mayfield, meteorologist and former director of the National Hurricane Center
Connect with us; we can help make your home, office, business, school, daycare, etc. a safer place to live, work and play. We offer courses in:
Fire Extinguisher/Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Basic Life Safety Shelter In Place/Lockdown Procedures Defensible Space Storm Shelter Readiness
Winter Weather/Extreme Heat Preparedness Human Trafficking
Emergency Operations Plan Development/Review Emergency Operations Center Functions/Roles
"You Are the Help Until Help Arrives"
Please email: mcheney@cjcfpd.org. We’re always here to help and……We Stand Ready!
KID K'S ID'S
C C RNER! RNER!
TEEN TEEN TTEEN TALK TALK ALK
Some Extra Important Tips:
1 bag ghost marshmallows (or 4 packages ghost Peeps)
2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c heavy cream, warmed Graham crackers, for serving
Mini chocolate chips, for ghost eyes
Preheat oven: 450. In the bottom of a 9" oven proof skillet, baking dish, or pie dish, spread out chocolate chips and pour cream on top Cover completely with a single layer of ghost marshmallows.
Place mini chocolate chips over eyes and mouth
Bake until the chocolate has melted and the ghosts are golden, 8 to 10 minutes
Serve warm with graham crackers for dipping.
Hot Dogs (as many as you want)
Crescent roles (one for each hot dog)
Condiments as desired
Preheat oven: 375; line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a paper towel, dry hot dogs of any moisture from packaging
Use a pizza cutter to cut each crescent triangle into thin dough strips
Pull and stretch the strips of dough before wrapping them around each hot dog in a mummy pattern
Tuck any loose dough under the back/bottom of the hot dog. Leave a small opening in wrapping for eyes
Bake on cookie sheet for 15 18 minutes or until golden brown
Costumes should be flame resistant with reflective strips so you can be easily seen during hours of darkness Remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, wagons and brooms too!
Always, walk, slither and sneak on sidewalks
Plan your creepy crawl with your parents and arrive at home at the agreed upon "return to the cave" time.
Accept all treats at the door. DO NOT enter the homes, apartments or cars of strangers. That would be SUPER scary
Look both ways when crossing the street; beware of cars, trucks, goblins, trolls and low flying brooms.
DO NOT eat any candy until you are home, in good lighting and an adult has inspected in first
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