Forty five percent of us usually make New Year’s Resolutions, but typically only 8% are successful in achieving their resolutions. What if in addition to or instead of weight loss or a new hobby, you resolved to keep you and your family safe in 2014? Here are five simple resolutions that you’ll have no trouble keeping.
- Ensure your family is prepared for an emergency. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another in different situations. Additionally, stock an emergency kit, discuss your family emergency plan and sign up for emergency alerting in your area.
- Be sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. Make sure to test and change the batteries every 6 months.
- Run regular checks on all family vehicles to prevent breakdowns or accidents. Winter weather poses a lot of risks and you best chance for safety is a well running vehicle. The most important aspect of tire maintenance is proper inflation of your tires. Seventy five percent of drivers wash their cars monthly while only 14% correctly checks the tire pressure.
- Take care of yourself before you can care for others. It’s important to take preventative measures like washing your hands regularly, wiping down work stations and covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough. If you do get the flu, stay home. If you go to work, you will be spreading your illness to your co-workers and increasing your chance of getting pneumonia.
- Sign up for Smart911 to give 9-1-1 valuable information about yourself, family members, your home, pets and vehicles that will automatically display on the 9-1-1 call taker’s screen when you dial 9-1-1. It’s private and secure and you control what information is in your profile. These details can save valuable seconds or even minutes during an emergency. (www.Smart911.com)
Although 8% of Americans do not keep their New Year’s resolutions, we hope you are able to commit to safety and keep these five resolutions throughout 2014. Be sure to check out the Emergency Management Services page on the City’s website for additional information and tips.
