NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Bill Twomey
(229) 928-4586
June 28, 2012
Beat the Heat with Tips from Bill Twomey County EMA and Ready Georgia
A scorching heat wave will arrive in earnest this weekend, with temperatures expected to soar into the triple digits in many parts of Georgia. Extreme heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S, claiming approximately 400 lives across the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so it is best to prepare now to reduce your risk of heat-related illness.
“Extreme heat can be dangerous and deadly, particularly for the elderly and infants, but staying indoors and drinking plenty of water will help you stay cool and hydrated when temperatures rise,” says Mr. Twomey, County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director for Sumter County.
To help families prepare, Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness campaign created by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. Visitors to Ready Georgia’s website can create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for the entire family that includes the specific amount of supplies to put in their household Ready kits. In addition, Ready Georgia’s free mobile app provides alerts and preparedness information for people on-the-go.
Sumter County and Ready Georgia also give these 10 tips to ensure a safe summer for every family:
1. Insulate your home by installing weather stripping around your doors and window sills
to keep the cool air inside.
2. Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and limit exposure to the
sun.
3. Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as
possible.
4. Familiarize yourself with the medical conditions that can result from over-exposure to
heat, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke to help lessen health threats and
harm.
5. Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when w
working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
6. Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
7. Postpone outdoor activities and take shelter in a home, building or hard top automobile
if severe weather is headed your way.
8. Make sure pets have plenty of water and shade, be careful to not over-exercise them,
and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.
9. Conserve water in your household to help prevent drought: wash only full loads of
dishes and laundry, fix household leaks and install low-flow toilets and showerheads.
10. Closely monitor a local radio station, TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest
information on excessive heat watches and warnings.
For more information, contact Bill Twomey County EMA at (229) 928-4500 or visit www.ready.ga.gov.
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About Ready Georgia
Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. The campaign is a project of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and provides a local dimension to Ready America, a broader national campaign. Ready Georgia aims to prepare citizens for maintaining self-sufficiency for at least 72 hours following an emergency, and uses an interactive website, free mobile app, online community toolkit, broadcast and print advertising and public awareness media messaging to reach its audiences. Ready Georgia is also on Facebook and YouTube.