NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert remind residents to change their clocks when Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12th. Along with changing your clocks, this is also a good time to check your emergency supply kit. Is it missing any items? Is anything out-of-date, leaking, or damaged?
“Don’t let an event, such as a major storm, catch you unprepared. It’s essential to plan ahead and have an emergency supply kit. Emergencies can happen at any time with little or no warning,” said Dr. Ruppert.
If you still need to create an emergency supply kit yet, now is the time to do it! Have at least a three-day supply of food and water stored in your home, with at least one gallon of water per person daily. Choose foods that are ready to eat, such as peanut butter and canned meats, fruits, and vegetables. Remember your pets too! They need their own food and water. Your emergency supply kit should also contain flashlights, a hand-operated can opener, a radio, batteries, and copies of important documents. Depending on your family’s needs, you may also need other supplies.
“In the event of an emergency, it is important to keep a list of all your medications and medical equipment with you, and maybe take pictures of your medication bottles and medical equipment with your smartphone,” said Eric Medina, Director of Emergency Preparedness/Public Health.
Daylight Savings is also a great time to ensure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order and are not expired. If needed, change the batteries in these alarms when you change your clocks. Replace all smoke alarms when they are ten years old or if they don’t respond when tested. All new smoke alarms should be replaced with a new 10-year sealed smoke alarm that never needs a battery replacement. To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture located on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced ten years from that date. For carbon monoxide alarms, always check the manufacturer’s instructions and expiration date. The Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhood Program can assist low to moderate-income residents and seniors, at no charge, with battery changes and alarm replacements as supplies last. For more information, call (845) 364 – 3290.
Visit https://alert.ny.gov/ or call 1-888-697-6972 to sign up to receive emergency weather alerts and other emergency warnings. You can receive that information through e-mail, phone at home, work, and/or cell phone. Visit https://www.ready.gov/ for fact sheets, checklists, games, and other emergency preparedness materials for adults and children. For local information, visit the Health Department’s web page at http://bit.ly/1l1zbnl.