September is National Preparedness Month - Preparing for Hurricanes
National Preparedness Month recognized each September, reminds us that we must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year for any type of emergency. Hurricanes are most active in September so it is fitting to take a look at a few things you can do to help prepare yourself and family in case of a severe storm or hurricane.
Know your Risk: Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Every part of Maryland can experience the devastating impacts of hurricanes. High winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding can be felt hundreds of miles inland, potentially causing loss of life and damage to property.
Get Prepared: As the storm approaches, it is often too late to get ready.
To prepare, make sure you:
- Know Your Zone: Evacuations are more common than people realize. Make yourself familiar with your community’s evacuation zones, so you’ll know exactly where to go.
- Build a Kit: If a hurricane hits your community, you may not have access to water, food and other items for some time. Think about your family’s needs and create an emergency supply kit that contains essential items to take care of family members and pets for at least 3 days. For a list of items to consider, visit: http://bit.ly/2xGg7rQ.
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Get Prescriptions Filled: Governor Hogan's recent Emergency Declaration in preparation for Hurricane Florence makes it possible for the Maryland Insurance Administration to permit insurance companies to authorize your prescription refills even if it would normally be too early for a refill. The waiver that provides this permission is in place while the state of emergency remains in effect.
Click here to see the waiver.
- Complete a Family Communication Plan: Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones, and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency, identify meeting locations. Complete an emergency contact card for each member of your family to keep with them: http://bit.ly/2wis2MY.
- Check Your Insurance Coverage: Not all hurricane-related losses are covered under traditional policies. Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage or losses from flooding. Review your policy, ensure you’re adequately covered, and contact your agent for any changes.
- Stay Informed: Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event.
- Download the free MARYLAND Prepares mobile app, which includes weather and emergency alerts, at http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/mdprepares.aspx.
- Know the difference between a watch and a warning.
- Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.
- Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.
- Monitor local news for hurricane watches and warnings in your area and follow directions of local officials.
- Make sure you have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio available so you can stay updated if the power goes out.
Additional resources:
• Maryland Office of Preparedness & Response-
• Maryland Emergency Management Agency- Hurricanes
• Ready.gov- www.ready.gov/hurricanes
The Doctor Is In - Episode Two - Teen Mental Health & Suicide
The second episode of the Health Department podcast, The Doctor Is In is now available on Howard Community College’s Dragon Digital Radio. This episode explores teen mental health and suicide. In Howard County, from 2014-2016, suicide was the number one cause of death for teens age 15-19. In this podcast, we'll talk to the mother of a Howard County girl who died by suicide and to the lead clinician from Grassroots' Mobile Crisis Team about teen mental health, suicide and resources available to help. You can hear all of the episodes of The Doctor Is In at: https://dragondigitalradio.podbean.com/category/the-doctor-is-in
September is National Recovery Month
Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover. The annual theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Invest in Health, Home, Purpose, and Community".
The Recovery Walk has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. It will be held at the Ellicott City Assembly of God church located at 10600 Frederick Rd. Ellicott City, MD 21042. There will be live music, resources and free food (while supplies last).
Recovery Resources
Featured Video
Howard County Health Department Peer Support Specialist, Scott Sheldon, talks about his experience with substance misuse and the purpose of the Good Samaritan Law.