June 2009 Themes for Community Outreach
Home Safety Month – Home Safety Council
Every year, the Home Safety Council promotes Home Safety Month, an initiative that focuses on heightening awareness to help the public become better informed and better equipped to prevent injuries in the home. According to research some 20 million medical visits were required for treatment of home injuries last year. The Home Safety Council encourages the public to take some simple steps to minimize their risk from potential injuries, or even death, from the leading causes of unintentional home injuries: fires/burns, slips/falls and poisonings. The public is invited to access free information and resources available on HomeSafetyCouncil.org, including an online quiz to assess your home safety aptitude and a Home Safety Month checklist to help safeguard your loved ones from home injuries.
National Safety Month – National Safety Council
Every year, the National Safety Council promotes National Safety Month, an initiative that focuses on heightening awareness of important safety issues. The National Safety Council and its local chapters provide information, education, and training programs focused driving safety, emergency care, and occupational safety. Public and private organizations are also encouraged to sponsor National Safety Month efforts. For more information, visit the NSC National Safety Month website.
June 1, 2009: Hurricane Season Begins
In many areas, serious storms may threaten communities from June through November. With this in mind, reach out to your local meteorologist to partner to distribute Hurricane Preparation Tips. And work with schools in your area to include hurricane education and tracking skills in class. The American Red Cross course Masters of Disaster and the National Fire Protection Association Risk Watch: Natural Disasters websites are excellent resources for school aged children.
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains a website of frequently asked questions about hurricanes and cyclones.
You may also promote hurricane awareness by call-in radio shows hosting trivia questions and providing preparedness giveaways for correct answers (battery powered radios and flashlights). Organize Citizen Corps volunteers to go door-to-door in low-income areas to be sure that they are prepared. Be sure to also focus on special needs populations to be sure they are adequately prepared and connected to neighborhood support – especially for evacuations.
June 14, 2009: Flag Day
From Flag Day to Independence Day, the summer is filled with patriotic activities. Use this "patriotic season" as momentum to take American patriotism a step further, and promote your Citizen Corps Council and your initiatives. Working with local businesses, hold a Flag Day rally and celebrate with flag giveaways and Citizen Corps branded promotional items, using this as an opportunity to introduce upcoming Citizen Corps events in the community and to ask your community to "Pledge to prepare, train, volunteer!" Consider having your Mayor issue a proclamation on community preparedness and have community leaders author op-ed pieces in local publications. If schools are still in session, have teachers explain the significance of the flag and its symbolism and emphasize the importance of civic responsibility. More suggestions are listed are in our document "Flag Day / Citizen Corps Day Local Event Suggestions."
June 21-27, 2009: Lightning Safety Awareness Week
Lightning Safety Awareness Week is held the last full week of June each year. Each year in the U.S., there are about 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes- each one of these a potential killer. During the last 30 years, lightning has killed an average of 73 people per year in the U.S. This is more than the 68 that are killed by tornadoes or the average of 16 killed by hurricanes. Because lightning only claims one or two victims at a time, and because it does not cause the mass destruction left in the wake of hurricanes or tornadoes, lightning generally receives much less attention than the more destructive storm-related killers. Lightning also injures 300 people a year; however, undocumented injuries caused by lightning are likely much higher. While many people think they are aware of the dangers of lightning, the vast majority are not. Lack of understanding with regard to the dangers of lightning continues to be a significant problem in the U.S. Many people do not act to protect their lives, their property and the lives of others in a timely manner simply because they do not understand all the dangers associated with thunderstorms and lightning. This lack of knowledge can also lead to very tragic consequences. Education and awareness are key to reducing the number of people struck by lightning. People need to become aware of what behavior puts them a greater risk of being stuck by lightning and know what they can do to reduce that risk. Adults in charge of outdoor activities and events, particularly those that involve children, should have and follow a specific lightning safety plan to minimize danger to participants and spectators. Visit NOAA’s website at http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov to download pictures, posters, public service announcements, and video clips to assist in your outreach efforts on this important topic.
June 27-28, 2009: ARRL Field Day
Every fourth full weekend in June, Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) "ham" operators around the country participate in a Field Day exercise to test and develop their skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness and emergency communications. During Field Day, hams test their skills in setting up and operating radio communication equipment where electrical power is limited or unavailable to simulate the conditions that can occur during a hurricane, tornado or other emergency, including man-made disasters. Operators set up radio transmitting and receiving equipment in local parks, at shopping malls, and other community locations using generators, battery, or solar power. This is a great opportunity to promote the good works of ARRL and to underscore the importance of emergency communications for all citizens, including NOAA public alert radios and having battery operated radios in disaster supply kits. To find out more about ARRL operations in your state, contact your ARRL State Section Manager. ARRL also produces a Field Day package to help hams participate.