For several years Chasing4Life has been a member of National Preparedness Month. The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding everyone that September is National Preparedness Month. Throughout National Preparedness Month, which is sponsored by FEMA's Ready Campaign, FEMA is encouraging all Americans to visit Ready.gov to learn how they can better prepare themselves and their families for the next emergency or disaster.

"Disaster can strike any time, anywhere. By taking a few simple steps now, you can ensure that your family and your community are prepared before the next emergency arises," said FEMA's Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore. "We urge everyone to take steps necessary to keep their family safe, which includes getting a kit, making a plan, being informed and getting involved."

National Preparedness Month focuses on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it means to "Be Ready." National Preparedness Month coalition members have agreed to distribute emergency preparedness information and sponsor activities across the country that will promote emergency preparedness. Membership is open to all public and private sector organizations.

FEMA's Citizen Corps is also an important partner in this campaign. Citizen Corps is FEMA's grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience.

To see a list of national, regional, tribal, state, local businesses and organizations that have pledged their support and joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month Coalition, please visit www.ready.gov/america/npm09/members.html.

Why we promote over 400 library events each year

“During tough economic times, people turn to libraries for their incredible array of free resources, from computers to books, DVDs and CDs, for help with a job hunt or health information. The average annual cost to the taxpayer for access to this wide range of resources is about $31, the cost of one hardcover book. In good times or bad, libraries are a great value!”

2008-2009 American Library Association President Jim Rettig

Why Support your Local Library?

• In a world where knowledge is power, libraries make everyone more powerful.
• Libraries bring people and ideas together. Think of the library as the living room of your community.
• Libraries are unique. Where else can you have access to nearly anything on CD, DVD, the Web or in print – as well as personal service and assistance in finding it?
• Libraries help bridge the divide between those who have access to information and those who do not. Families making less than $15,000 annually are two to three times more likely to rely on library computers than those earning more than $75,000.
• Nearly 73% of libraries are their communities' only source of free computer and Internet access- which rises to 82% in rural areas.
• Libraries don’t just offer the hardware, but also offer the expertise of librarians in helping teach people how to use the Internet and find the information they need quickly. While Google can give you 50,000 responses to your inquiry, your librarian can help you find the one answer you need.
• Libraries are part of the American Dream. They offer free access to all. They bring opportunity to all.
• Libraries and librarians provide free and equal access to information for people of all ages and backgrounds – in schools, on college and university campuses and in communities large and small.
• Libraries are for everyone, everywhere.

Back to school safety

An article I read recently said that an estimated 2.2 million children under the age of 14 are injured in school-related accidents each year. Accidents while on the way to school, on the way home from school and while playing at school can be avoided much like other disasters; by simply making a plan.

With schools starting across the country, now is the time to make those plans.

-Plan a walking route to school or to the bus stop. Make sure you have a direct route with the least amount of crossings your children will have to encounter. If you are in a rural area, make sure weeds and plants are trimmed from the end of the driveway so your child will be more than visible while waiting for the bus.

-Walk the route with your children and make sure you teach them to stay away from areas where they will be alone and unprotected such as parks, vacant lots, etc.

-Set rules for accepting rides NOW. As my children get older, the number of rides available increases. Make sure your children know not to take rides from strangers and not to take rides from under age drivers you are not sure about.

-Teach your kids to obey traffic laws and rules.

-Don’t forget that bad weather can become a part of your child’s travel to school and teach them the severe weather safety rules.

-Make sure if your child is riding his/her bike to school that they wear a helmet!

-Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies.

-Check the playground equipment at your child’s school. Look for hazards such as rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces. Report any hazards to the school.

-Make sure you are familiar with the school’s disaster and safety plans.

As the school year starts, traffic increases, daylight changes and the number of children on the roads increases. Make sure that this year’s back-to-school time is one of excitement and learning and tragedy.