September is National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sponsors national Preparedness Month 2007. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.

Throughout September, Homeland Security will work with a wide variety of organizations, including local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to highlight the importance of family emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement through events and activities across the nation.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LINKS

Federal

Preparedness Month Center
http://www.ready.gov/america/npm07/index.html
US Readiness Center
http://www.ready.gov/
Department of Homeland Security
http://www.dhs.gov/
FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/
Citizen’s Corps
http://www.citizencorps.gov/

California

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
http://www.homeland.ca.gov/
Office of Emergency Services
http://www.oes.ca.gov/
Emergency Digital Information Service
http://www.edis.ca.gov/

County of Orange

County Readiness Center
http://www.readyoc.org/
Fire Authority
http://www.ocfa.org/

City of Los Alamitos

Emergency Preparation Center
http://www.losalamitospolice.org/support/emergencyprep.htm
West County CERT
http://westcountycert.com/

Red Cross

National
http://www.redcross.org/
County
http://www.oc-redcross.org/

School Driving Tips

The Auto Club offers 10 Tips to Parents who drop-off and pick-up their children from school. Go to the following link to download the brochure:

www.losalamitospolice.org/operations/parentdropofftips.pdf

9/11 Memorial

The Los Alamitos Police Department extends our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the many victims of the tragic events that occurred six years ago on this day. We hope everyone will take at least a moment of their day to reflect on these events and the lives cut short by this terrorist attack.

We also hope that you will extend a thought or prayer of support to the many men and women of the armed forces who are serving our country in harm’s way. May they return home successful and safe.

http://www.losalamitospolice.org/special/9-11memory.htm

For information regarding Emergency Preparation and Terrorism, please visit these sites:

The Official website of the Federal Government http://www.usa.gov/
Department of Homeland Security http://www.ready.gov/
Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/

California Office of Emergency Services http://www.oes.ca.gov/

Orange County Preparation http://www.readyoc.com/

Image Source: Flight 93 Logo piece, Flight93MemorialProject.org, extracted 9/2004

September is Campus Fire Safety Month

This is the season for families to send their high school graduates off to college. Please take a moment to discuss Safety issues, including Campus Fire Safety this month.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/college/

School Traffic Safety - Plan Ahead and Slow Down

Article by Laura Herzog, News Enterprise

As summertime draws to an end and our children are getting ready to go back to school, the community is asked to plan ahead, and grant extra traveling time. In the hustle and bustle of busy schedules, we are many times in a hurry to get from point A to point B and we forget to plan extra time into our schedule. You may be thinking extra time for what? Our school-age children will be back gathering at some of the busiest intersections in our city.

“Crossing guards are the people in charge of the safety of our kids,” says Sgt. Sharon Kerbow of the Los Alamitos Police Department, “but a lot of times their directions are ignored. We want to remind drivers of how important these guards are to our children. They take their responsibility seriously, and if they give a direction to a driver, it’s for a good reason and it must be obeyed.”

Driving through an intersection after a crossing guard has stepped out into the crosswalk is a violation under California Vehicle Code (CVC) number 22101.Violaters can be ticketed, and the fine is $300-$350. “As long as the crossing guard has the sign up, there is no right turn,” says Kerbow. One of the most dangerous intersections is the corner of Bloomfield and Katella which is now staffed with two crossing guards and a camera.The Los Alamitos Police Department and the city’s crossing guards are united in making it safe for our children to travel to school and are reminding each member of the community of the importance of following the instructions of the crossing guards and obeying the law. “These crossing guards really are saints,” says Kerbow, “and people need to remember that they are the ones who are responsible for our children’s safety. Drivers must pay attention and follow their instructions, even if that means they have to wait longer perhaps through another cycle of traffic light.”

Bicycle Safety - Biking to School

The new school year has just begun and we anticipate large numbers of motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians to make the annual return to our school sites. The increase in traffic around schools during drop off and pick up times creates heavy congestion and many safety problems. Many students walk and ride their bicycles which helps alleviate some congestion, however it is important for students and parents to be aware of the safety concerns associated with these types of travel.

In particular, the safety of children bicyclists needs to be addressed. Each year, over 500,000 people are treated for injuries related to bicycle-involved collisions. Approximately two-thirds of those injured are under the age of fifteen. Statistics have shown that younger bicycle riders are more often responsible for causing collisions than are older riders. This is in part due to their inability to readily identify and react to dangerous situations. The following suggestions are intended to help increase the student's awareness of bicycle safety.

• Always wear a bicycle helmet when riding. Helmets have been proven to reduce injury during a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends helmets that comply with standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation (SNELL).
• Make sure the helmet and bicycle have been properly fitted. Equipment which is too big or too small makes it more difficult to maintain control of the bicycle.
• Maintain the bicycle in proper working order. Also, insure the proper lights and reflectors are on the bicycle for times when it is dark.
• While on a bicycle, obey the same rules of the road that apply to motor vehicle traffic (i.e. Stop Signs, Stop Lights, Hand Signals, etc.).
• When riding in the street, ride in the same direction as vehicles are traveling. Use a bicycle lane if one is available. Never ride with more than two bicycles side by side. The safest way to ride is in a single file staying as close as practical to the right curb.
• When riding on the sidewalk, ride in the same direction as the vehicles are traveling. Always be aware of pedestrians and yield the right-of-way to them.
• Check for approaching traffic whenever crossing a driveway or intersection. 70% of collisions, involving a motor vehicle and a bicycle, occur at driveways and other intersections.
• Avoid things that are distracting while riding – such as headphones.
• Don't carry items while riding. Holding objects will make it difficult to maintain control of the bicycle.
• Never allow someone to ride on the handlebars. Vision is obstructed, balance is affected and braking distance/time increases.
• Be aware of hazards such as drain grates, wet pavement and curbs.
• Learn the safest routes between home and school Try to cross streets where there are Stop Signs, Traffic Signals or Crosswalks. Remember, crosswalks are for pedestrians. To travel in a crosswalk, walk the bicycle across.

These bicycle safety tips will only be effective if they become a part of the student's daily riding routine. If enough children practice proper bicycle safety, the number of collisons involving students can be greatly reduced.

Parents, remember the most effective bicycle safety lesson your child can learn will be watching you. If you practice proper bicycle safety, then your child will be more likely to do so, as well.

Submitted by R. Thome, Corporal

Traffic Safety During Power Outages

A reminder due to ongoing power outages in Southern California during this heat wave, and any time you encounter an area with a power loss.

If you're in a vehicle during a power outage, follow these important safety tips:

• STOP at all intersections, then proceed cautiously when traffic permits. The CA Vehicle Code treats uncontrolled intersections as a 4-way stop.
• STOP at all railroad crossings until you're sure the tracks are clear. Rail safety devices require power to operate.
• Obey law enforcement officers who are directing traffic. Situations like these require the full attention of drivers.
• If you have to pull off the roadway, use your emergency flashers to alert approaching traffic.
• Watch out for pedestrians along darkened roadways.

Tips courtesy of the CHP-California Highway Patrol