QUESTIONS ABOUT PANDEMIC FLU/SWINE FLU

What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs that has now spread to humans.

What is Pandemic flu?
A "pandemic" is a disease that spreads all over the world and affects a large number of people. If you are caring for a loved one during a pandemic, it's important to take steps to protect yourself and others. Always follow the most current advice of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and your local health department.

The American Red Cross has a Home Care for Pandemic Flu flyer available on their website at www.redcrossstl.org in printable format. If you would like more information.

Prevent the spread of Pandemic Flu:
~Wash hands often with soap and water and/or alcohol based sanitizer.
~Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and clean your hands afterward.
~Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have tissues.
~Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering your body.
***If you or a family member display signs of the flu, stay home from work, school and errands and avoid contact with others. Consider wearing a surgical mask when around others to prevent the spread any further.

Recognize Pandemic Flu Symptoms
Watch for these symptoms

>Fever
>Cough
>Runny nose
>Muscle pain

Call your healthcare professional at the first sign of the flu. Many sypmtoms can be treated by the health care professional over the phone.

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
A person with the swine flu may be able to spread the flu starting a day before they start feeling sick, and for as long as they have symptoms, possibly 7 to 10 days.

These are just a few tips from the American Red Cross. If you have any questions please visit www.redcrossstl.org for further information or contact your local health department.
Franklin County Department of Health- 636-583-7300

Odorless Killer Stalks Missouri-Carbon Monoxide

Odorless Killer Stalks Missouri - Carbon Monoxide
Release Date: January 31, 2009
Release Number: 3303-003

» More Information on Missouri Severe Winter Storm


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Recent carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in Missouri following this January's severe ice storms bring home the need to beware the dangers of a silent killer, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

FEMA and SEMA warn Missourians to stay alert for the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when spending more time in vehicles or using unfamiliar fuel-burning heaters, generators or appliances in and around their homes. Opening doors and windows or operating fans will not guarantee your safety. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is particularly high during the cold weather season.

"Too often, when people have lost power after a disaster, they will use alternate sources of energy to cook and heat with," said Tom Hall, federal coordinating officer for the Missouri recovery. "This is an especially grave risk in Missouri as residents without power try to use generators to heat and power their homes and businesses."

Carbon monoxide poisoning from the use of fuel-burning appliances kills more than 200 people each year and sends about 10,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Others die from carbon monoxide produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from carbon monoxide produced by cars unintentionally left running in attached garages or gas-powered generators where the exhaust can accumulate in living spaces.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fossil fuel. The initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the flu and include dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and irregular breathing. High-level exposure to carbon monoxide can cause death.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that consumers use gasoline-powered generators outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, every living space should have at least one carbon monoxide detector that meets the requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories Standard 2034 or the requirements of the International Approval Services 6-96 standard.

For more information on carbon monoxide and the safe use of generators, read this CPSC publication at: www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/portgend.html

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Monday, 02-Feb-2009 13:54:38

Flood Insurance Can Be A Wise Investment from FEMA

Flood Insurance Can Be A Wise Investment
Release Date: December 8, 2008
Release Number: 1809-020

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado


JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- After the September flooding, many homeowners and businesses learned too late that their insurance did not cover flood damages. Time and time again, far too many individuals shoulder these burdens without the financial cushion of flood insurance. In some instances, people have been told they cannot buy flood insurance because of where they live, or because they have flooded before. To address these and other misconceptions about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency has compiled the following key facts that everyone should know about flood insurance:

Flood insurance is available. You can buy flood insurance as long as you live in a participating NFIP community. Renters, condominium owners, homeowners and business owners are all eligible to purchase a policy from a local insurance agent.

Flood insurance is sometimes required - but should always be considered. Most individuals that have a mortgage on a home in a high-risk area are required by law to carry flood insurance. But, just because flood insurance is not required, does not mean it is not needed. Even if your lender does not require you to carry it, you should ask your agent about flood insurance options to better protect your biggest investment.

Know your coverage limits - and be fully insured. A maximum of $250,000 of building coverage is available for single-family residential buildings and condominiums. The limit for contents coverage on all residential buildings is $100,000, which is also available to renters. The average flood insurance premium is around $500 per year in a high-risk area. If you live in a low-to-moderate risk area, lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies start as low as $119 a year. For a complete summary of building and contents items covered by flood insurance, visit www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/summary_cov.pdf.

Commercial structures can be insured to a limit of $500,000 for the building and $500,000 for the contents. For more information or for help in finding an agent near you, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) website, www.floodsmart.gov/

Stay insured. You can purchase flood insurance at any time. However, there is usually a 30-day waiting period before the policy becomes effective. Once you buy flood insurance, the insurance agent will provide you with the policy. If the lender requires the property owner to carry flood insurance, the insurance agent will also provide a copy of the policy to the lender. If you already have a flood insurance policy, remember that your policy needs to be renewed each year. Renewal policy documentation and premium notices are sent directly to the policy holder. However, we encourage all policy holders to talk to their agents annually about their flood insurance coverage.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

CONSIDERING PURCHASING A GENERATOR? Size and Installation Safety Tips

Since 2006, Missouri citizens and communities have experienced five ice storms resulting in power outages for hundreds of thousands of citizens, in some instances for up to several weeks. A generator can be good insurance to keep homes, businesses, and critical facilities running during a power outage.

There are several critical factors that citizens need to consider when buying, installing and using a generator. First notify your local electric utility company if you plan to use a standby generator in case of power failure, and follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. It is especially important to conduct regularly scheduled warm-ups to keep the generator in working order.

A second critical factor to be considered is adequate power at the correct voltage. Portable generators with 4-5 kilowatt ratings are the minimum size needed for a typical three bedroom home, and prices can range from $600 to $4000. More expensive units run quieter, are more durable and have larger fuel tanks.

Before you connect your new generator to your home or business's electrical system, you should contact a licensed electrician about the possibility of installing a double throw transfer switch. This switch disconnects the main power source from the standby generator and prevents electricity made by the generator from mistakenly flowing out onto utility lines where it could electrocute members of the repair crew. The switch must have the capacity to carry the total load of the building it feeds, even though the generator has less capacity.

Generators are rated in kilowatts, or KW. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. If the nameplate has two kilowatt ratings, the larger number is the "short-time overload capacity". the smaller is the "continous-output rating". Electric motors draw three to five times more power at starting than when running under full load, so proper generator sizing is critical to avoid motor burnouts. The ampere rating of equipment needing power can be converted to watts by multiplying its voltage by its amperage as given on the nameplate.

Generator sizing depends upon whether it's an automatic or manual start unit. To determine the correct size for an automatic start unit, you should add the wattage of all motors connected to the generator and multiply this number by 3.5. Then add the wattage of all other connected equipment. To determine the correct size for a manual start unit, you need to know the starting wattage of your largest motor. Then, add the maximum running and starting wattage demand on the generator at any point in the system to get the required generator size. For example, a 5-horsepower, 5000-watt running-load motor has a starting wattage of 17,500 watts, so an 18 K W generator is needed to start the motor.

Generator fuel should be stored in approved containers. Fuel should never be stored inside the home or in an attached garage. The generator should always be operated outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine exhaust.

Tone Alert Weather Radios Issue Emergency Information

Tone Alert Weather Radios Issue Emergency Information

According to the National Weather Service, Missouri averages 28 tornadoes, and three tornado-related deaths every year. In 2006, Missouri experienced a tornadoes of which killed 15 people, injured 147, destroyed hundreds of homes, and numerous power outages caused by downed trees in July and December. When seconds count, the National Weather Service forecasters can interrupt regular weather
programming to transmit a special tone that automatically activates weather radios. The tone-alert radios
provide immediate severe weather life safety information.

The NWS forecasts information on seven frequencies. Today’s tone-alert radios with Specific Area Message Encoding “SAME” technology can be programmed to receive advanced severe weather information for a specific county or area. NOAA Radio can also broadcast watches, warnings and post disaster event information (tornadoes, severe storms, rising river levels, floods, earthquakes). They will broadcast technological information (chemical or oil spills).

Prior to 1994, Missouri had 11 NOAA transmitters. Since 1994, State Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri Association of Electric Cooperatives purchased over 22 transmitters. The transmitters were installed on existing electric cooperative towers to provide rural Missouri with advanced severe weather warnings. Currently Missouri has almost 100% advanced severe weather
warning coverage.

What is the closest NOAA Weather Radio Frequency?
Alton 162.500
Bloomfield 162.400
Branson 162.550
Camdenton 162.550
Cameron 162.475
CapeGirardeau162.550
Carrollton 162.450
Cassville 162.525
Clinton 162.475
Columbia 162.400
Crawford 162.525
Dixon 162.425
Doniphan 162.450
El Dorado 162.475
Fredericktown162.500
Gainesville 162.425
Hannibal 162.475
Hermitage162.450
Jamestown 162.425
Joplin 162.425
Kahoka 162.450
Kansas City 162.550
La Plata 162.550
Lancaster 162.550
Maryville 162.425
Piedmont 162.425
St. Joseph 162.400
Springfield162.400
St. Louis 162.550
Summersville 162.475
Trenton 162.500
Wardell 162.525
West Plains 162.525

NOAA Weather Radios can be purchased at stores where electronics are sold such as Radio Shack, K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart, or Circuit City. Many grocery stores such as Price Choppers, Dillions, Gerbes, or Schnucks also carry NOAA Weather Radios in the spring.