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Galveston County

 

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📢It’s Time To Re-Apply for the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) Program!

📢2022 Galveston County Disaster Guide Out Now (Click Here)

Holiday & Cold Weather Tips

❄ Winter Preparedness Tips ❄

February 2, 2022

Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms including blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice and high winds.

Winter Storm Preparedness
Fog
What If Winter Weather Strikes
What If The Power Goes Out
Generator Safety
Dressing For Cold Weather
Winter Travel
Winter Precipitation
Science of Windchill
Staying Warm with No Power
Freezing Drizzle
Flash Freeze
Freezing Rain
Winter Driving
Icy Driving Tips
Cold Weather Tips

Cold Front Approaching

February 1, 2022

A cold front is set to move into Texas and temperatures will be dropping Thursday. Some icy patches maybe present on bridges and overpasses, even outside of the freezing rain zones. This event is not nearly as extreme as the record-breaking February 2021 freeze. However, if you or a loved one lives in the effected areas, or you have concerns always remember the 4-Ps:

People: Check on your neighbors and loved ones.

Pets: If you are cold, so are they. Bring them in and keep yourselves warm together.

Plants: Cover your plants to protect them from frost, if possible relocate them.

Pipes: Insulate your exposed pipes and drain your hoses and disconnect them.

Also remember to never use a gas stove or heater to heat the inside of your home. Run your generators outside of your home and use caution when using candles or lanterns. Stay informed, stay safe,   and stay warm.

Holiday Safety Tips- Sober Driving

December 31, 2021

Be Responsible

Since the public health emergency began, we’ve seen drivers making riskier decisions when they’re behind the wheel. As the year comes to a close and a new one begins, make it a point to drive safely — and drive sober — every day.

Have a Plan Whether You’re Driving, Riding or Hosting

If you’re celebrating and drinking this holiday season, always remember to plan ahead with a sober driver to take you home. If you’re the designated driver, it’s important to take the role seriously and don’t consume alcohol. Here are some more safety tips:

  • Never drink and drive.
  • Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if that person has been drinking.
  • If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure everyone has a sober ride home.
  • Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
  • Call 911 if you see a drunk driver.

 

Full Article Here

❄ How To Prepare For A Freeze

December 30, 2021

HOW TO PREPARE FOR FRIGID TEMPS

A cold front on Saturday will usher in Freezing conditions this weekend. A freeze watch is in effect Saturday night for the northern half of the Houston area with additional products possible Sunday night. Wind chill Sunday morning will be in the teens to twenties.

With winter temperatures dropping significantly, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. We want to remind area residents to take precautions to protect life and property during the winter weather, including checking on elderly, taking care of pets and livestock, protecting plants and exposed plumbing.

Here are some tips for dealing with freezing temperatures:

PROTECT PEOPLE
  • Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.
  • Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
  • Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes.
  • Never leave children unattended near a space heater.

Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never using generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.

It is also recommended that you prepare your car for winter. Have your car serviced and add antifreeze as needed. Make sure battery terminals are clean and tightened — you may even want to clean around terminals with an old toothbrush and a homemade mixture of baking soda and water. Keep in mind that you should replace your battery every three to four years. Make certain windshield wipers and defrosters are in good working order and the window washer reservoirs are filled.

PROTECT PLANTS

The number one cold weather tip from plant expert Zach Buchanan is to cover your plants with a frost cloth. Buchanan says it lets the plant breathe, but also holds a lot of heat. If you can’t find a frost cloth, a sheet or a blanket works well. Just make sure the material allows your plants to breathe and that it isn’t just sitting on top of the plants. Buchanan says you want to wrap it around and below the plant so no wind enters. A frost cloth runs around $15.

Number two, if there are potted plants you cannot move inside, then move potted plants to a spot where they’re protected from the north wind. Buchanan says the wind causes a lot of frost damage, not necessarily the cold temperatures.

The third tip is to spread at least two to three inches of mulch to protect the roots of plants and trees. Buchanan says you might get frost damage on top of the plant, but if the roots are protected then the roots can come back in the spring. Mulch will cost you around $5.

Finally, use water on plants. It goes against common sense, but watering your plants actually protects them from the cold. Buchanan says the water in the ground is going to keep the roots from getting frost damage.

By following these tips, you can spend less money to protect your plants than replacing them if they’re damaged.

You should also avoid some common mistakes: Don’t cover plants with plastic. Don’t cut back dead-looking parts of plants after a cold spell. Don’t put mulch too close to plants and trees. Don’t wait until it’s too cold to cover your plants.

PROTECT PIPES
  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes, including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.
  • If you have a pool, besides keeping the pump running, make sure all the valves are open as well.
PROTECT PETS
  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

It’s important to remember that a pet’s age, breed or illness may affect how they tolerate the cold winter months. The Houston SPCA advises that it is best that all pets live indoors due these unpredictable weather conditions.

Housing: Provide proper shelter for your pet whether they live indoors or outdoors. Indoor pets should have their bed or crate placed in a safe and warm place that is away from drafts. Outdoor pets should have a well insulated house that is wind and waterproof resistant and elevated off the ground so wind and moisture can’t seep inside. Install a door flap to protect against drafts and gusts of wind. Extra blankets and straw will also help to increase your pet’s warmth. Room and floor heaters should be kept away from your pet as they are an obvious fire hazard and can cause serious injuries as well.

Food & Water: Make sure to provide fresh, clean water for your pet every day. Outdoor pets need to consume 25 to 50 percent more calories than usual because the cold weather tends to deplete their energy. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian to make sure what is right for your pet.

Cars are Refrigerators: A car can act as refrigerator in the winter. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during the winter months as they will freeze to death.

Cats and Cars: Keep your cats indoors during the winter. Not only can outdoor cats freeze, they sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars to stay warm. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Give an outdoor cat a chance to escape by banging loudly on the car hood before starting your car.

Warmth: If you have a short-haired breed of dog, consider getting him / her a sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly to keep them warm. Never shave your dog down to the skin in the winter months as a longer coat will provide more warmth.

Antifreeze: Dogs and cats are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze which contains ethylene glycol. A tiny lick can kill your dog or cat so make sure to check your car for leaks on your driveway or gutter. Keep containers tightly closed and clean up spills immediately. Check your local retailer for “pet safe” antifreeze

Rodenticides: Rat and mouse poisons are commonly used during the winter months. Place them out of reach as they can cause fatal bleeding or kidney failure in your pet.

The Houston SPCA encourages you to be especially mindful of your pets this winter and to keep telephone numbers for your veterinarian and a local emergency veterinary service in a convenient location.

 

Full Article HERE

Holiday Safety Tips- UNdecorating Safety Tips

December 28, 2021

Putting those decorations away present some unexpected hazards

undecorate holidays

All of the presents you spent countless hours shopping for ― now unwrapped and played with (albeit maybe not for as long as you’d predicted). The stockings are no longer hung by the chimney with care. Another successful holiday, full of memories to cherish.

It can be easy to breathe a sigh of relief, but pediatrician Purva Grover, MD, cautions that packing up after holiday festivities can present some unexpected hazards, especially when taking ornaments down from the tree.

Glass ornaments, or really cute, fine decorations are things that smaller kids can ingest. Older kids can actually get harmed too, if they’re playing and running around. They might step on them and smash them. And the same goes for our four-legged friends as well – it’s definitely something for parents to think about.

Even not decorating can be a hazard

Likewise, Dr. Grover says while many of us are reluctant to let go of our Christmas spirit, trying to hang on to a live tree for too long can be a serious safety hazard.

“If you see the needles are brown and getting brittle, those have a very high chance of falling off ― causing eye injuries, cuts and bruises,” she says. “I know it’s festive. I know it’s important. But the point at which the tree is now starting to become very dry and brittle, it’s time for us to say bye-bye to it. That’s because even just a little bit of warmth can cause it to catch fire.”

While most families know that it takes a little while to get the house back in order after the holiday rush, Dr. Grover says toys, boxes and wrapping materials left lying around can lead to accidental cuts and scrapes.

It’s also important to discard any plastic bags or wrapping materials promptly, as these can pose a suffocation hazard to small children.

And don’t forget to play safe with those new holiday presents, either

You’ve bought the presents. You’ve wrapped the presents. And you’ve Instagrammed them unwrapping the present. But it’s important that your role isn’t done. Be sure to supervise your kids as they assemble their new toys too.

Many toys designed for older children come with small parts and pieces that can be choking or ingestion hazards for little ones, so be especially careful if you have kids of various ages in your house.

One thing to be especially careful about, she adds, are any toys or gadgets that have button batteries. These items need to be out of reach of little ones, because swallowing a button battery can be dangerous or even fatal.

And lastly, if you’re planning to head outdoors to take down decorations on the house, Dr. Grover reminds parents to be mindful of ladders and make sure their kids aren’t playing around them unsupervised.

Cleveland Clinic

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MAILING ADDRESS:
Galveston County Office of Emergency Management
1353 FM 646 Rd West
Suite 201
Dickinson, TX 77539

PHONE:
281-309-5002

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Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm
(Closed Weekends & Holidays)

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