Summer Safety Tips from GEMA

Although temperatures in our area have topped 90 for weeks now, the first full day of summer is not until Wednesday, June 22. With the start of summer, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency is offering the following summer safety tips: 

Extreme Heat

• Plan to stay indoors and drink plenty of water during extreme heat conditions.
• Prepare your home by keeping it well-insulated and windows shaded.
• Learn about the types of medical conditions (like heat exhaustion and heat stroke) that can result from extreme heat and the proper first aid measures that should be taken.

Thunderstorms and Lightning

• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe storm.
• Postpone outdoor activities in the event of a severe storm and plan to take shelter in case of heavy winds or lightning.
• Understand the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a severe thunderstorm warning: A thunderstorm watch means there is a possibility of a thunderstorm in your area; a thunderstorm warning means a thunderstorm is occurring or will likely occur soon. If you are advised to take shelter, do so immediately.

Drought

• Make a plan to conserve water in your household.
• Have enough bottled water in your Ready kit—one gallon per person per day for three days.
• Know your local water restrictions and follow direction of water authorities.

Fire

• Review and practice escape plans from your home.
• Place smoke alarms in every room of your house and create a 30- to 100-foot safety zone around your home by keeping flammable vegetation in this area to a minimum.
• Know to stay low if a fire breaks out, know your wildfire risk and listen to fire officials upon arrival.

For more information, check out GEMA's Ready Georgia Website.