We often talk about having a plan for ourselves and our family in the case of a disaster, but there’s one family member who is often overlooked.  Do you have a disaster plan for your pets? Whether a disaster calls for evacuation or sheltering in place pets will need to be taken care of just like humans.

Before a disaster, create a 72-hour preparedness kit for your pet. Make sure they have extra food, water medications and toys in case you are unable to get to a store or are forced to evacuate on short notice. Have a copy of your pet’s vaccination records as you will need these when placing your pet in a shelter.

If you need to evacuate, make sure that you take your pets and their supplies with you. This is critical because one of the reasons people are most likely to return to danger zones is to save their pets.  Most general population shelters will not allow pets who are not service animals. Local emergency management makes every effort to have a pet shelter located near to the general population shelter, but it is a good idea to have a list of places your pet could go in a disaster – just in case.

Make sure your pets are crate trained. This will help them be prepared for being placed in a crate and carried to a strange location.  This is important because leaving their home quickly and going to a strange area can be very stressful for an animal in an emergency.  You don’t want to be caught caring for an animal that is experiencing anxiety and stress in the midst of the stress you and your family will be feeling in an emergency.

Preparing our pets is a very important aspect of preparedness that is often forgotten.  Understanding pet preparedness and getting your pet ready and prepared will give you peace of mind and will help keep your pet safe.

April 21-27, 2013 is National Volunteer Week. Established in 1974, this week is meant to inspire, recognize and encourage people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. For some, that may mean looking at ways that they can become prepared to volunteer in the case of a disaster.

When disaster strikes a community, the first instinct of many people is to go to the area to help in whatever way they can. While well-intentioned, this is not always the best idea. Areas that have experienced disaster are often lacking infrastructure needed to support an influx of volunteers and having large numbers of people spontaneously show up can cause more harm than good. In a disaster situation, do not go to the affected area unless you are requested. Call the local volunteer hotline where you are interested in volunteering and verify:

• That volunteers are needed
• When volunteers are needed
• Where volunteers are needed

You can also consider aligning yourself with a disaster relief organization before disaster strikes so you will be ready for deployment when needed. Trained affiliated volunteers are able to go into a disaster area right away without draining local resources as major voluntary organizations will be self-contained.

So, if you want to be a disaster volunteer, where do you start? A list of vetted voluntary organizations committed to helping in disaster is available at http://bit.ly/VOADnet. Many of these organizations offer training to those interested in helping in disaster. You can also check with your local volunteer center (a list of Colorado volunteer centers is available at http://bit.ly/CVCnet) to see what trainings or volunteer opportunities they have related to disaster response. In addition to these organizations, your local emergency manager (find them at http://bit.ly/COEMs), fire department or police department may also have volunteer opportunities.

If you are interested in becoming a disaster volunteer, National Volunteer Week is a great time to get started.  Take some time to get trained and affiliated now, and you will be ready to help out the right way when disaster strikes.

See Something, Say Something!

The nationwide “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign was created to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities.

Report suspicious activities to your local law enforcement agency.

The recent explosions during the Boston Marathon and the ricin-contaminated letters addressed to government officials highlight the importance of this campaign and how imperative it is to maintain heightened awareness of suspicious activities, people or packages.  If you see something suspicious taking place, report the behavior or activity to local law enforcement or, in the case of emergency, call 9-1-1. Never try to handle or intervene in the situation on your own – let trained authorities take the proper steps.

Recognizing Suspicious People

Suspicious people may often be identified by their behavior. While no one behavioral activity is proof that someone is planning to act inappropriately, these factors can help you assess whether someone poses a threat. Behavioral factors to watch for include:

• Nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease. This may include sweating or “tunnel vision” (staring forward inappropriately).
• Inappropriate, oversize, loose-fitting clothes (e.g., a heavy overcoat on a warm day).
• Keeping hands in pockets or cupping hands (e.g., holding a triggering device).
• Constantly favoring one side or one area of the body as if wearing something unusual/uncomfortable (e.g., a holster). Pay attention to a person constantly adjusting waistbands, ankles, or other clothing. Suicide bombers have been known to repeatedly pat themselves to verify that the bomb vest or belt is still attached.

Recognizing Suspicious Mail or Packages

Suspicious mail or packages may contain:

Be alert to suspicious mail or packages. For a copy of a full size, printable version of this poster, visit the United States Postal Service by clicking the image above, or go to http://about.usps.com/posters/pos84.pdf.

• Restrictive markings.
• Misspelled, badly typed or poorly written words.
• Unidentifiable powder or suspicious substance(s).
• Oily stains or discolorations on package.
• Excessive tape.
• Strange odor.
• Excessive postage.
• Incorrect title or addressed to title only.
• Rigid or unusually bulky packages.
• Protruding wires.
• No return address.

If you observe or receive a suspicious letter or package:

• Don’t handle the package.
• Isolate it immediately – make sure no one else touches it.
• Don’t open, smell, or taste it.
• Notify law enforcement.

If you suspect the mail or package contains an explosive device, or radiological, biological, or chemical threat:

• Evacuate the area immediately.
• Call 911.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.

Be vigilant of your surroundings and if you see something, say something.  Report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency, such as police department or sheriff’s office, or the Colorado Information Analysis Center at 1-877-509-2422 or submit a report online at https://ciac.ncirc.gov/cwf/.

April is National Financial Literacy Month. While this month is typically set aside to help individuals and families work toward building a solid financial future for themselves, it is also a great time to think about how you can become better prepared while on a budget. Check out the information below for some great tips to manage preparedness on a budget.

10. Plan for the types of disasters that are likely to happen in the area where you live. In Colorado, that means things such as snowstoms and wildfires. Hurricane-specific items (i.e. hurricane shutters) are not a good investment here.

9. Create your own personalized preparedness needs list (suggestions at http://www.readycolorado.com/ready-central/build-a-kit/). You may not need everything included in “ready-made” kits and there may be additional items you need based on your personal situation. For example, if you have pets, you may need special items. Don’t forget to have supplies in your car and at work.

8. Budget emergency preparedness items as a “normal” expense. Even $20 a month can go a long way to helping you be ready. Buy one preparedness item each time you go to the grocery store based on what is on sale.

7. Save by shopping sales. Make use of coupons and shop at stores with used goods. Don’t replace your ready kit items annually, just replace and cycle through those items that have a shelf life (e.g., batteries or food). Test items in your kit regularly to make sure that they are in good working order; only replace what is necessary.

6. Store water in safe containers. You don’t have to buy expensive bottled water, but make sure any containers you use for water storage are safe and disinfected.

5. Request preparedness items as gifts. We all receive gifts we don’t need or use. What if your friends and family members gave you gifts that could save your life? Don’t forget to protect them by sending preparedness gifts their way, too.

4. Think ahead. You are more likely to save money if you can take your time with focused and strategic shopping. Buy items that are on sale and keep a list to avoid duplicating items you already have.

3. Review your insurance policy annually and make necessary changes. When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will be sufficient to allow you to replace needed items. Renters need policies too, in order to cover personal property.

2. Update your family communications plan (more information at http://www.readycolorado.com/ready-central/create-a-plan/). Have an accurate phone list of emergency contact numbers, including an out-of-state contact.

1. Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost $80 or more. Just one night of sacrifice could fund a 72-hour ready kit.

Pre-planning will help you and your family better survive a disaster, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Take some time to figure out how preparedness fits in to your family’s budget.

For a printable version of this list, go to http://www.readycolorado.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Top10listCO.pdf.

It’s tax season and online criminals are seizing the opportunity for scams.  Don’t become the next victim.

Scammers leverage every means at their disposal to separate you from your money, your identity, or anything else of value they can get. They may offer seemingly legitimate “tax services” designed to steal your identity and your tax refund, sometimes with the lure of bigger write-offs or refunds. Scams may include mocked-up websites and tax forms that look like they belong to the IRS to trick you into providing your personal information.

Scam artists can prey on users by promising refunds that are fraudulent, a scam the IRS says has been rampant in previous years. In these scams, notices are posted on bulletin boards, in libraries and at other community sites where people visit either in-person or online.  Scammers make money from this trick in two ways:  first, they collect a fee for helping to “file” for a refund on behalf of their victims, and then they steal the victim’s identity for further exploitation. The victims are left paying a fee for a fraudulent service, not getting a refund they thought they would, and are potentially in a position to face charges for failing to file a return or for committing fraudulent reporting.

How to recognize an email tax scam

According to the IRS, below are the key ways to recognize an email tax scam.  The email:

• Requests personal and/or financial information, such as name, Social Security Number, bank or credit card account numbers or security-related information, such as mother’s maiden name, either in the email itself or on another site to which a link in the email directs you;
• Includes exciting offers to get you to respond, such as mentioning a tax refund or offering to pay you to participate in an IRS survey;
• Threatens a consequence for not responding to the email, such as additional taxes or blocking access to your funds;
• Has incorrect spelling for the Internal Revenue Service or other federal agencies;
• Uses incorrect grammar or odd phrasing;
• Discusses “changes to tax laws” that include a downloadable document (usually in PDF format) that purports to explain the new tax laws (these downloads are populated with malware that, once downloaded, may infect your computer).

How to avoid becoming a victim

To stay safer this tax season, follow these five steps:

1. Secure your computer. If your computer does not have proper security controls, it is vulnerable to access by criminals, who may be able to steal information stored on it.  Make sure your computer has the latest security updates installed. Check to see that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software are running properly and are receiving automatic updates from the vendor. If you haven’t already done so, install and enable a firewall.

1. Carefully select the sites you visit. Safely searching for tax forms, advice on deductibles, tax preparers and other similar topics requires caution.  Know the site. Know the company.  Do not visit a site by clicking on a link sent in an email, found on someone’s blog, or on an advertisement. The website you land on may look just like the real site, but it may be a well-crafted fake.

1. Don’t fall prey to email, web or social networking scams.  Common scams tout tax rebates, offer great deals on tax preparation or offer a free tax calculator tool. If you did not solicit the information, it’s likely a scam.  If the email claims to be from the IRS, it’s a scam – the IRS will not contact you via email, text messaging or your social network, nor does it advertise on websites. If the email appears to be from your employer, bank, broker, etc. claiming there is an issue with what they reported for you and you need to verify some information, it might be a scam.  Do not respond to the email. Contact the entity directly before responding.

1. Never send sensitive information in an email. It may be intercepted and read by criminals.

1. Use strong passwords. Cyber criminals have developed programs that automate the ability to guess your passwords. To protect yourself, passwords must be difficult for others to guess, but at the same time, easy for you to remember. Passwords should have a minimum of nine characters and include upper case (capital letters), lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.  Make sure your work passwords are different from your personal passwords.

For more information:

For additional information about tax related scams and identity theft, please visit:

• Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft: www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft
• Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts:  www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts
• IRS Releases the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2012: www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Releases-the-Dirty-Dozen-Tax-Scams-for-2012
• Report Phishing: www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing

Everyone knows that 9-1-1 is a universal number that should be called in the event of an emergency…or do they? 9-1-1 Centers all over the United States have encountered hurdles when educating the public when it comes to the 9-1-1 and its uses. During National 9-1-1 Education month, organizations from all around the country are stepping up their efforts to educate the public on the proper use of 9-1-1.

Children and adults alike should have a good understanding of 9-1-1 and how it works in their area. Although 9-1-1 is available throughout Colorado, there are many different levels of sophistication within the equipment and resources available at each 9-1-1 answering point.

Some general guidelines for 9-1-1 use, provided by the National Emergency Numbers Association, are:

Know WHEN to call 9-1-1. 9-1-1 is for emergencies only. You should only be dialing 9-1-1 if someone is hurt or in danger, or if you are in immediate need of police, fire or medical assistance. If you aren’t sure if your situation is an emergency, you should err on the side of safety and call 9-1-1 and let the expert who answers your call make the decision whether to send help or not.

Know WHEN NOT to call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 just because you burned dinner and your guests are arriving any minute, or because you are late for a meeting and need help finding an address. While those situations may count as emergencies for you, they aren’t public safety emergencies. Inappropriate use of the 9-1-1 system wastes resources and ties up the lines at the 9-1-1 center, and nobody wants to be on hold when they are in the middle of a real crisis. Not to mention that harassing or making prank calls to 9-1-1 is a crime, and you don’t want law enforcement showing up at your door.

Know the capabilities of the device you are using. 9-1-1 can be contacted from pretty much every device that can make phone calls (traditional landline, cell, VoIP), but the callback and location information that accompanies your call to the 9-1-1 center can vary drastically amongst technologies and between geographic regions. 9-1-1 and telecommunications professionals are hard at work to make sure 9-1-1 works the same on all devices in the future, but until then it is your job to be knowledgeable about benefits and limitations associated with various technologies. Contact your service provider(s) for more information.

Know where you are. This is probably the most important information you can provide as a 9-1-1 caller, so try to be aware of your surroundings. Make a real effort to be as detailed as possible. If you are outside and don’t know the street address, take a look around and try to find landmarks or cross streets. If you are inside a large building or one with multiple levels, you can help emergency services by letting them know which floor you are on, which apartment you are in, etc.

Stay calm. When you are on the phone with 9-1-1, you are their eyes and ears. Even though you may want to, try not to panic. If you are crying or yelling, it can be hard for the 9-1-1 operator to understand you. If you are able to stay strong, pull yourself together, and answer all of the 9-1-1 operator’s questions, they will be able to get the right services to your location more quickly.

Never hang up. You may have called 9-1-1 by accident, or your situation may have resolved itself, but it is important to let the 9-1-1 operator know this. If you end the call abruptly, the folks at the 9-1-1 center are going to assume that something has gone very wrong and will either call you back or send help anyway. This will take away from the 9-1-1 center’s ability to take calls and dispatch services to on-going emergencies, so make sure the 9-1-1 call taker tells you it is ok to disconnect before you hang up. Keep in mind that the call taker can dispatch responders to your location without disconnecting from the call, so, until you are instructed to do otherwise, make sure to hold the line so that you can provide any necessary information or assistance to the 9-1-1 operator.

Tornados in Colorado are more common than you may think. From 1950-2011 (the most recent year for which data is available), there were 1,911 tornados in Colorado ranging EF0 to EF4 in severity. These tornados resulted in five deaths and 275 injuries. A majority of tornados in Colorado occur along the eastern plains and Front Range; however, there have been occasional tornados further west.

Tornados generally occur between May and August and between noon and 7 p.m., but there are outliers to these statistics as well. For example at 7:55 p.m. on March 28, 2007, an EF3 tornado struck the town of Holly, causing severe damage, 11 injuries and two deaths.

Since tornadoes are a relatively common occurrence in Colorado, it’s important to be prepared. If you hear a tornado watch announced on your television or radio, tornados are possible in your area. Danger signs indicating that a tornado may be imminent include a dark, often greenish sky; large hail; a large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating) and a loud roar, similar to a freight train.

If you hear a tornado warning, a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Take shelter immediately. Taking shelter from a tornado may take different forms depending on your location. If you are in a structure, take shelter in the center of an interior room on the lowest level, away from doors, windows and exterior walls. Make sure to protect your head and neck as most tornado-related injuries result from flying debris. If you are in a trailer or mobile home, get out immediately. Get to a protected shelter, if possible, or take shelter outside. If you are outside with no shelter, lie in a flat, low-lying area (such as a ditch) and cover your head with your hands.

Tornados are one of nature’s most violent storms. They can be very sudden and very scary, but knowing what to do may save you and your family. For more information on tornados divided by state, go to http://bit.ly/tornadohistory. For more information on tornado preparedness, go to http://1.usa.gov/VEvTdU.

March 18-22, 2013, is National Flood Awareness Week. Floods can be one of the most damaging natural disasters around. What makes flooding exceptionally difficult for individuals is that flood damage is not covered by traditional homeowners’ insurance policies. This can leave the unprepared exceptionally vulnerable to financial hardship following a flood event. Because of Colorado’s propensity for wildfires, our state is particularly susceptible to flooding in recent burn areas. And it’s not just those in mountain settings who are at risk. Those in the eastern plains are vulnerable to overland flooding. Read on for tips on preparing for this danger.

Before the flood

• Get flood insurance if you are in a flood-prone area. Go to http://1.usa.gov/TDkXxH to find out what your flood risk is, get cost estimates and find an agent who sells flood insurance. Keep in mind that there is a 30-day waiting before flood insurance goes into effect, so if you are at risk, get insurance now.
• Get prepared by making sure your family has a 72-hour kit. A 72-hour kit should contain, at a minimum, drinking water, non-perishable food, first aid, blankets, a radio and a flashlight. These items should be stored in an easily accessible, portable, waterproof container. Also make sure to have copies of important documents, such as insurance information, ready to go. More information on packing a kit is available at www.readycolorado.com.
• Prepare your home. Make sure your sump pump is working, clear debris from gutters and downspouts, anchor any fuel tanks, raise electrical components and move furniture, valuables and important documents to a safe place.
• Keep informed. Watch out for weather that could cause flash floods and make sure that you listen to the news so you are aware of flood danger in your area. Keep updated on road closures in case you need to evacuate. An inexpensive NOAA Weather Radio (more information at http://1.usa.gov/Vghq5D), available from many stores that sell home electronics, is also a great way to receive prompt alerts about threatening weather, including flash floods.

During the flood

• Keep informed. Listen to the television or radio or search the Internet (if available) for information and instructions.
• Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.
• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.

After the flood

• Use local alerts and warning systems to get information and expert informed advice as soon as available.
• Avoid moving water.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organization.
• Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying off the roads and out of the way.
• Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and information. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Roads may still be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water. Barricades have been placed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road, go another way.
• If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded:
  • Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  • Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may hide animals and broken bottles, and it’s also slippery. Avoid walking or driving through it.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
•  Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
•  Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.

For more information on flooding, check out the National Weather Service flood safety page at http://1.usa.gov/THjyUj.