Hurricane Survival Guide

Hurricane Survival Guide

The most important thing you can do is be informed and prepared 

Asbury Park residents are encouraged to be prepared for the possible impacts of a Hurricane should one hit the region this season.

As with any weather-related emergency, residents are urged to take steps now to ensure that their homes and families are prepared for a possible close encounter with a Hurricane . Hurricane hazards may come in many forms including lightening, flooding, storm surge, tornadoes, high winds, etc. With the month of September designated as “National Preparedness Month,” it’s the perfect time to review and restock your Emergency Kit supplies and ensure everyone is familiar with your family’s Emergency Communication Plan. 

 

 

Before the storm
 
- Check and restock your emergency supply kit with items such as non-perishable foods, a manual can opener, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries.   

- Understand what the various weather advisories mean and keep apprised of conditions outside. 

- Know your local radio stations for weather updates and keep a battery-powered radio on hand for changing conditions. 

- Keep the lines of communication open. Charge cell phones and wireless laptop computers in advance. 

- Have flashlights on hand, along with fresh batteries. 

- Update your list of emergency phone numbers and include folks that may require special care, such as seniors and people with disabilities.

 

- Prepare your home - bring in any outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, wind chimes and garden tools that you can; anchor objects that cannot be brought inside but that could be wind-tossed.

 

- Check all smoke alarms. Having a working smoke alarm is vital to your safety year-round and can immediately alert you to potential danger 24/7. 

 

- Make sure your gas tank is filled.

 

- Have a plan for your pets. Have adequate food and water and use caution when letting your pet outdoors after the storm. Downed power lines, glass and other hazards could present real dangers to your pet.

During the storm

- Avoid using candles for lighting - flashlights are the best and safest choice during a power outage.

 

- Never use a candle when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern, since the 
candle flame can ignite fumes from the fuel.

 

- Try to stay in an interior room or away from windows.

 

- Stay calm and do not call 911 unless it is an emergency.

 

- Unplug electronics. During a power outage, turn off as many appliances as possible. This will minimize losing power again through a power surge and protect the equipment and your home when power returns.

 

- Use care with generators. Carbon monoxide is a quick killer. If you have a generator, make sure you also have a carbon monoxide detector, either battery operated or with a battery backup. Never operate a generator inside a house, garage, shed or other enclosed area, even if windows and doors are open. Do not use it outside near open windows or doors.

 

- Do not go outside. Flying debris, downed wires from high winds are a real danger.

After the storm
1. Listen to the authorities. Remain indoors until an official "all clear" is issued.

2. Use extreme caution when cleaning up storm damage on your property. Downed or damaged power lines can send electrical currents through tree branches and metal fences, so survey the area carefully - especially if you'll be using a pruning pole, ax or chainsaw.

3. For downed trees on public property, residents should call - 732-775-0900 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays (or 240-777-0311. If live wires are involved, the tree is blocking a roadway, the tree is on a structure or if anyone is trapped under a fallen tree, call 911.

4. Know your limits. Many storm-related deaths and injuries involve existing health problems exacerbated by the physical demands of cleanup activities.

5. Drive with caution. Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals and streams. Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road, which could lead to becoming stranded or trapped because the depth of the water and the condition of the road is not always obvious.

6. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers, downed wires and other hazards.

 

7. Call 911 for life threatening situations only.

8. Call authorities to report any hazards such as downed power lines, leaking gas mains, broken water mains and overturned gas tanks.

9.  Watch what you eat. If power was off during the storm, check refrigerated and frozen foods for spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out. 

10. Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals and streams. Never attempt to drive on a flooded road.   

11.  Replenish supplies used from your emergency kit as soon as possible, you might need it again next week. 

12. Check on your neighbors - especially the elderly, those with special needs or the disabled.

Important utility company numbers:

JCP$L:  To report an outage: 1-888-544-4877
     
NJNG: To report a gas leak: 800-427-5325

Sign up for Asbury Park Nixle Alerts!

Be sure to sign up for “Nixle Alerts” at https://local.nixle.com/city/nj/asbury-park/. Asbury Park Nixle will deliver important emergency alerts, notifications and updates to you. While signing up for Asbury Park Nixle free of charge, your wireless carrier may charge you a fee to receive text messages. Check the website FAQ link and your wireless agreement to review your carrier’s pricing information.  

 

 

 

Get Ready: High Heat in the Forecast

Get Ready: High Heat in the Forecast

Be Careful and Check on Elderly Neighbors

The heat is ON. A Heat Advisory remains in effect from noon today until 7 p.m. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 80s with heat index values around 94 degrees. Excessive heat is especially dangerous to the elderly, the young, those with existing medical conditions and those that work outdoors. The Asbury Park Fire Department is urging residents to stay cool, stay hydrated and to check on the welfare of elderly or at-risk neighbors as things "heat up" this week in the metropolitan area.
 
Staying hydrated is essential all year long but is particularly important when temperatures soar. During hot weather and extreme heat, keep informed by listening to local weather and news channels and take a minute to review the tips below.

1. Pre-hydrate, hydrate and re-hydrate.
During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Drink plenty of fluids in advance, during and after activities and don’t wait until you're thirsty to hydrate.

2.  Dress for the heat.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect some of the sun’s energy. Limit your direct exposure to the sun and wear a hat for extra protection.

3.  Monitor those at high risk.
Extreme heat can be hazardous to your health and although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Those most at risk for heat-related illnesses include children, older adults, those that work or exercise outside and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

4. Children and cars - use common sense.
Never, ever leave infants, children, pets or the elderly in a parked car where temperatures can become life-threatening in minutes, even with the windows rolled down. Additionally, hot interior surfaces of a car can burn a child’s skin. Before you put your child in a car that has been parked in a warm/sunny spot, check the temperature of the car seat or upholstery first.

5. Avoid strenuous activity.
Take regular breaks when exercising or engaged in physical activity on warm days. If you recognize that you, or someone else, is showing signs of a heat-related illness, stop the activity immediately, find a cool place to rest, hydrate and seek medical attention if necessary.

6. Be a good neighbor.
Isolated, elderly adults are at a much higher risk of health-related issues. Be a good neighbor and take a minute to check in with your neighbors.

7. Remember your pets.
Hot weather can affect the well-being of pets making them susceptible to overheating which can lead to very dangerous heat stroke. Always provide a source of water and a cool, ventilated place for your pet. Leaving your pet inside a parked car, even for a few minutes, can be fatal. The inside of a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes.  

8. Stay indoors, if possible.
Stay indoors and, if possible, in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider going to the shopping mall, community center or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you return to the heat.

It’s National Night Out – make sure we find you in an EMERGENCY!

It’s National Night Out – make sure we find you in an EMERGENCY!

National Night Out is a premier community-building event in the County. Do you know the police officers and firefighters who work to keep your neighborhood and your family safe? Come out to Asbury Park's National Night Out event being celebrated at Springwood Avenue Park and meet the first responders that serve our community and on your way home --- check your house numbers and make sure they are visible. 

In an emergency, police, fire and rescue workers depend on house numbers to find YOU as quickly as possible. Finding your home - especially at night - can be challenging if address numbers are unreadable, hidden, unlighted or have missing numbers and may delay emergency responders from getting to you as quickly as possible.

Are your house numbers visible from the street? Are they set on a background of contrasting color? If your house is hidden from the street, are your numbers attached to a visible fence, mailbox or gate? Is your mobile home identified with your house number? If you live on a corner, does your house number face the street named in your address?

If you've answered "no" to any of these questions, please follow the guidelines below to make sure your house number is easy to read:

1. Numbers must be visible from the street. Residential home numbering must be at least 3 inches high and a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch.

2. Numbers should be placed on a contrasting background, with a reflective coating on the numbers for easy visibility at night.

3. Repair or replace aging address number placards, especially on mailboxes that are a distance from the front of the residence.

4. Prune any bushes, tree limbs or other growth that has covered your house numbers.

5. Numbers should be placed on or beside the front door. If your door is not easily seen from the street, put the numbers on a post, fence or tree at the driveway entrance so they can be clearly seen from the street. In addition to numbers on the front door of your house, if you have a rural-style mailbox, reflective and contrasting numbers should be placed on both sides of the box so they can be seen by an emergency vehicle approaching from either direction.

Asbury Park Property Maintenance Code (IPMAP) on Addresses

 

13-304.3.

 

Buildings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be not less than 3 inches (102 mm) in height with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Additional or more stringent State regulations may apply; the more stringent regulations shall be the governing regulations.

  

Residents hoping to become the newest members of the Asbury Park Fire Department have until Friday, August 31, 2018, to submit online applications to take the New Jersey firefighter's exam. 

The department is reaching out to residents in an effort to expand the number of applicants and increase the Fire Department's diversity.

Applications must be submitted online at www.state.nj.us/csc by August 31st. The Asbury Park Public Library has computers available for residents who do not have computer access to file their applications. To be eligible to apply for the New Jersey Firefighter's exam, you must be 18 to 34 years old and possess a high school diploma (GED or equivalent) and a valid New Jersey driver's license.

You can also view the announcement at:

https://info.csc.state.nj.us/Vats/WebAnno.aspx?FileNumber=26564

For additional information, contact the Asbury Park Fire Department at:

Phone: 732-774-7400

Email: Fire@CityofAsburyPark.com

Fireworks

Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.

 

NFPA's Dan Doofus urges people not to use consumer fireworks because they are too dangerous. Fireworks are responsible for thousands of fires and injuries each year.

Fireworks by the numbers

• Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.  
• In 2017, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 12,900 people for fireworks related injuries; 54% of those injuries were to the extremities and 36% were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated 2017 injuries. These injury estimates were obtained or derived from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2015 Fireworks Annual Report by Yongling Tu. 

Outdoor Grilling Safety

Outdoor Grilling Safety

The onset of warm weather signals the beginning of Barbecue Season!  The Asbury Park Fire Department wants you and your loved ones to enjoy this season SAFELY! Below are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association that he hopes will help:

 

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets far away from grills: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
• No grilling allowed on apartment or condo balconies! 
• With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.  NEVER use gasoline!
• With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks.  Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow off propane before capacity is reached. OPDS are easily identified by their triangle-shaped hand wheel.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill  repaired by a professional, if necessary.
• Remember to keep your grill clean!  Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto grill and catch fire.
• REMEMBER!  Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

Beach & Water Safety Tips

Beach & Water Safety Tips

 

Tragic water accidents happen quickly.

The most common reason for aquatic mishaps is a lack of safety knowledge.

The Asbury Park Fire Department recommends the following safety tips:

 



• Learn to swim
• Swim near a lifeguard
• Never swim alone
• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present
• Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water
• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull
• Alcohol and swimming don't mix
• Protect your head, neck, and spine - don't dive into unfamiliar waters -feet first, first time 
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help
• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances
• SCUBA dive only if trained and certified - and within the limits of your training
• No glass containers at the beach - broken glass and bare feet don't mix
• No beach bon fires except in designated areas and a permit - fire residue and superheated sand can severely burn bare feet
• Report hazardous conditions to lifeguards or other beach management personnel
• Stay clear of jetty rocks, they are a major slip hazard

Never turn your back to the ocean -a you may be swept off your feet and into the water by waves that can come without warning.

 

Rip Currents

Rip currents are the most threatening natural hazard along our coast. They pull victims away from

the beach. The United States Lifesaving Association has found that 80% of the rescues effected by ocean lifeguards involve saving those caught in rip currents.

 

 

A rip current is a seaward moving current that circulates water back to sea after it is pushed ashore by waves. Each wave accumulates water on shore creating seaward pressure. This pressure is released in an area with the least amount of resistance which is usually the deepest point along the ocean floor. Rip currents also exist in areas where the strength of the waves are weakened by objects such as rock jetties, piers, natural reefs, and even large groups of bathers. Rip currents often look like muddy rivers flowing away from the shore.

 

Rip currents are sometimes mistakenly called "rip tides" or "undertows." These are misnomers. Rip currents are not directly associated with tides and they do not pull people under.

 

Try to avoid swimming where rip currents are present, but if you become caught in one, swim parallel to the shore until the pull stops and then swim back to shore. If you are unable to return to the beach, tread water and wave for a lifeguard assistance.

 

Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Rip currents often exist along the side of fixed objects in the water.