Thanks for senior center
I am writing to you today to say how highly we all thought of the article from last week’s Windsor Times about the senior center and senior services in Windsor. Everyone was raving about it, especially Erin (Stroud).
I live nearby the senior center, so I have been swimming, doing exercise classes, doing yoga, borrowing books from the wonderful free bookshelves and making friends there. We even took our 13-year-old grandson swimming there (for free since we pay a small fee through our taxes living in the Brooks Creek housing) since he was two years old.
Your writer’s scope of showing so much about what is available for seniors was tremendous. Please pass our sincerest appreciation to your writer. Look forward to more articles by him.
Diane Commendatore
Windsor
National Preparedness Month
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors declared that September is National Preparedness Month. The preparedness campaign provides an opportunity for all of us to ready ourselves and our families now and throughout the year for potential emergency situations. According to the website Ready.gov, the focus of the 2018 National Preparedness Month is: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.
“Often, as mothers, fathers and neighbors, we are the first ones to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive. Take one hour this evening to make a kit or develop your emergency plan,” said Supervisor James Gore. “Practicing your emergency plan ensures you’ll know what to do when disaster strikes, and we’re no different. That’s why, on Sept. 10 and 12, we’ll test our county’s alert and warning systems.”
Many emergencies happen without warning, so it is important that you take steps ahead of time to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. One important way you can prepare is by having a kit ready in case you do not have access to food, water, or electricity for several days after a disaster.
In addition to building a kit, talk to your loved ones about an emergency plan with the steps you all will take in different types of emergencies and how you will contact one another. Finally, stay informed to make sure you get the information you need when an emergency happens, especially the types of emergencies that might happen in your area.
Preparing does not stop after you have your kit ready and your emergency plan in place. In a real emergency, you may become overwhelmed or confused, so it is important to practice your emergency plan – review the plans and have practice drills with your whole family.
Review and replace the contents of your emergency kit every six months. Be sure to check expiration dates on food, water, medicine and batteries and add any personal items that are unique to your needs. Talk to friends and family about taking steps to get prepared.
Take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid. Check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, fires, earthquakes. Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas.
Throughout National Preparedness Month, FEMA encourages everyone to install and become more familiar with the FEMA app for smartphones. The app allows users to receive weather alerts for up to five different areas, offers an emergency preparedness checklist, and provides safety tips for numerous emergency situations. In addition apps such as SoCoAlert and Nixle provide information from local emergency management and first responders.
Jennifer Larocque
Community & Government Affairs
County of Sonoma
