MEMA's PET SAFETY TIPS FOR THE WINTER MONTHS

FRAMINGHAM, MA – "As the harsh winter months settle in, it is important that you think about keeping your pets safe from all of the dangers that the season can present," states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Kurt Schwartz. "MEMA offers some tips to help insure your pet's safety."

• Do not leave your pet outdoors when temperatures drop below freezing. Dogs need outdoor exercise, but take care not to keep them outdoors for lengthy periods of time during very cold weather. Pets that are mostly indoors need time to adapt to cold temperatures by building up a thicker coat and toughening their footpads for ice and snow. Short-coated dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater during walks. Dogs and cats are safer indoors during all sorts of extreme weather.
• Care for your pet's feet. If your pet walks on salted or chemically treated areas, be sure to wash its paws after your walk. Gently rub the bottom of the feet to remove these irritants as soon as your dog is off the road. Many dogs need boots in cold weather, regardless of their coat length. If your dog frequently lifts up its paws, whines or stops during walks, it may be demonstrating that its feet are uncomfortably cold.
• Wind-chill is a threat to pets, even those protected by shelters. Outdoor dogs must be protected by a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow the dog to both sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to retain body heat. The floor should be elevated a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The entrance of the doghouse should be turned to face away from prevailing winds, and the entrance should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.
• Pets that spend a greater amount of time outdoors in the winter need more food. Maintaining warmth depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to ensure the water is fresh and not frozen. To prevent your pet's tongue from freezing to its feeding or drinking bowl, plastic, rather than metal food and water bowls are preferred.
• Never leave a pet locked inside a car during extremely cold weather. Cars can actually act like a refrigerator, holding in cold air, putting your pet at risk.
• Be leery of frozen bodies of water. Always keep your pets on a leash when walking them near suspected frozen bodies of water. The ice may not be sturdy enough to support your pet. If a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt to rescue your pet yourself; call 9-1-1 or go for help.
• Antifreeze and de-icing chemicals can be hazardous. Many types of antifreeze have a sweet taste that can attract animals. Always store antifreeze out of reach and clean up spills. Antifreeze made with propylene glycol can actually be swallowed in small amounts and not injure pets, wildlife or humans.
• Warm automobile engines are dangerous for cats and small wildlife. Parked vehicles can attract small animals, which may crawl under the hood seeking warmth. To avoid injuring hiding animals, bang on your car's hood to scare them off before starting your engine.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

PREPARING FOR WINTER WEATHER
MEMA Offers Tips to Help Keep Massachusetts Families Safe

FRAMINGHAM, MA – A winter storm in New England can range from a moderate snowfall over a few hours to a chilling Nor'easter, bringing blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. People can become stranded in their automobiles or trapped at home, without utilities or other services. The aftermath of a winter storm can have an impact on a community or the entire region for days, weeks or even months. Storm effects, in New England, include large snow accumulation, extremely cold temperatures, heavy, wet snow or icing on trees and powerlines, roof collapses, coastal flooding and beach erosion.

Winter storms are also deceptive killers because most deaths are indirectly related to the actual storm. The major causes are automobile or other transportation accidents, exhaustion and heart attacks caused by overexertion, 'freezing to death' and asphyxiation from improper heating sources. House fires occur more frequently in the winter due to lack of proper safety precautions when using alternate heating sources, like unattended fires and space heaters.

"As with most potential disasters, preparedness, monitoring the Media and common sense can minimize the danger to you and your family," states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz. "That is why MEMA is sharing important winter safety information through the Media and the MEMA website over the next few weeks."

Areas to be covered in this series will include the proper steps to take to prepare your family and home for the winter season, automobile and driving safety, ice safety, protecting your pets, responding to power outages, extreme temperatures, roof collapse and recovering from a winter storm.

Those who already have an All-Hazard Emergency Supply Kit, as MEMA continues to recommend, are ahead of the curve. However, it is important to check your kit, to ensure it is properly stocked with enough supplies to survive on your own for at least three to five days. Now is also the time to review for Family Communication Plan.

WINTER EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries
• Charged cell phone
• First-aid kit
• Essential prescription medicines
• Non-perishable Food
• Manual can opener
• Water (one gallon per person/per day)
• Baby items
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags
• Fire extinguisher

FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Develop a 'Family Emergency Communication Plan' in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), and have a plan for getting back together.

• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the 'family contact'. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than across town. Also, calling outside the area will probably be easier than calling into a disaster area.
• Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the contact person.
• Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of town. Decide on an alternate meeting area for family members.

BE INFORMED
Become aware of your community's Emergency Plans, available through your local Emergency Management Director.

• Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children's school and your workplace.
• Be aware of the location of your community's emergency notification systems, potential emergency shelters and possible evacuation routes.

These steps can help reassure everyone's safety and minimize the stress associated with emergencies.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to the MEMA website at www.mass.gov/mema. Follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

BE PREPARED FOR FUTURE DISASTERS – GET READY NOW

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Severe weather forecasts are issued year-round for conditions in Massachusetts. Floods and tornadoes can occur in the spring and summer while the fall and winter seasons can produce crippling snow and ice storms.

Storm systems will continue to develop and affect the region. The Commonwealth has already taken several bad hits this year: a severe winter storm on Jan.11-12, tornadoes on June 1 and heavy flooding from Tropical Storm Irene from August 27-29. More severe weather systems will strike this area; it’s a matter of when, not if. Disasters will happen again…Get Ready Now.

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urge residents throughout the state to focus their attention on the weather, assemble and keep disaster emergency preparedness kits close by and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice if notified by local officials to leave their homes.

Put together a disaster kit and store it in a portable container in case of evacuation. The kit should include:

• At least a three-day supply of food and bottled water for each family member
• Manual can opener
• Battery-powered radio and flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit with family members’ medications and prescription information
• Hygiene and personal care items
• Emergency contact list and phone numbers
• Copies of important papers including insurance policies and bank account information
• Emergency money – preferably cash – or credit card
• Keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle
• Don’t forget additional supplies for infants, older residents, and those with functional needs.
• Pet supplies (if applicable)

Putting together a disaster preparedness kit only takes a short time. It can mean the difference between having the basic necessities and being uncomfortable, or quite possibly in serious trouble.

It’s important to develop a family disaster plan and know how to stay safe during an emergency.

• Discuss what your family will do when a disaster is pending and where you will go in an evacuation – to a shelter, hotel or to stay with family or friends.
• Don’t forget about pets and plan in advance what to do with them.
• Have a kit containing supplies needed for their care ready to go.
• Check with local officials to find out which shelters will accept pets.
• Know and review your evacuation route.
• Develop a family communication plan.
• Identify a friend or relative in another state or city to serve as a point of contact in case family members are separated
• Be prepared for future disasters.
• Stay informed about weather conditions…including the potential for flooding…and know the risks involved.
• Purchase and program a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio to receive watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. NOAA weather radios range in price from $30 to more than $100, depending on features, and can be purchased at any retail store that sells electronics.
• Determine the risk and take the necessary precautions.
• Never drive through water.
• Take action to reduce potential water damage.
• Consider flood insurance as well as property insurance against strong winds. Review your insurance coverage with your insurance agent, and update your coverage amounts as necessary.
• Consider elevating utilities or appliances – even the entire home.
• Focus on protecting and reinforcing the roof, windows and garage against strong winds. Keeping these in place could lessen overall damage during straight-line winds or a tornado.
• Install “hurricane straps” – very effective during tornado activity - and shutters.