Every year we look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries caused by fireworks and outdoor cooking. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Firework-related injuries and deaths spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Lightning Safety Council was established to promote lightning safety education and awareness. The Council recognizes National Lightning Safety Awareness Week as a unique opportunity to provide the public with safety information about lightning. We also encourage you to visit NOAA’s comprehensive lightning safety web site to learn more about lightning and lightning safety.
May is National Wildfire awareness month. A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in natural areas like forests, grasslands, or prairies. As many as 90 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused be people, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. Some human-caused fires are a result of campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, downed power lines, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson. The remaining 10 percent are started by lightning or lava. These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate not only wildlife and natural areas, but also communities.
On April 6, 2022, please join the National Weather Service and its Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors to take a “selfie” and post with the hashtag #SafePlaceSelfie. One of the most essential preparedness actions anyone can do is to identify their safe locations from various extreme weather threats. Knowing where to go ahead of time can minimize hesitation and ensure your decisions are good ones even under great duress.
February is Earthquake awareness month. Everyone should be aware of earthquake hazards and how to protect yourself from them, no matter where you live or work. Earthquakes are a nationwide threat to the United States and its territories throughout the year, not just during certain seasons like most other weather-related hazards. Here are a few ways to protect yourself if you are in an earthquake: