Help Those Impacted By Hurricane #Harvey #AltusOK

Whether you want to donate cash, goods, or services to assist in the Hurricane Harvey response, make sure you do so responsibly with information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Learn the safest and most effective ways to donate or volunteer with these FEMA guidelines: Cash is the most efficient method of donating. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover. Donate through a trusted organization. Find trusted national and state level agencies to donate or volunteer from the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before coming to the disaster area. Contact and affiliate with an established organization to ensure that you receive training to respond in the most effective way. Be safe. Do not self-deploy. Wait until it is safe to travel to volunteer sites and authorities identify opportunities to help. Be patient. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster. If you need help in determining who to give to, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website has a list of major non-profits active in disaster work or contact your FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison for guidance. For more information, visit www.fema.gov/volunteer-donate-responsibly.

September Climate Data is provided by @OKMesoNet

Periods of Record Temps #1903-2010 Precip #1903-2012 Snow #1903-2012 # - large gaps in record	Key * - Record since tied Highlight = Sep record All Temps in deg F All Precip in inches Sig Prcp Freq = Pct of days with >= 0.1" precip	Sep. Averages High Temp 88 F Low Temp 62 F Avg Temp 75 F Precip 2.82" Snow 0.0"		1 T Avgs: 92/67 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 108 (1951) Low T 51 (1915) Precip 1.93 (1932)	2 T Avgs: 93/67 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 107 (1947) Low T 53* (1915) Precip 0.68 (1989)	3 T Avgs: 92/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 109 (2000) Low T 48 (1974) Precip 1.95 (1959)
4 T Avgs: 91/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 20% Extremes: High T 108* (1947) Low T 50 (1974) Precip 2.69 (1996)	5 T Avgs: 91/65 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 108 (1998) Low T 50 (1974) Precip 5.85 (1971)	6 T Avgs: 92/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 104* (1963) Low T 53 (1974) Precip 0.92 (1973)	7 T Avgs: 92/66 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 105* (1936) Low T 50 (1943) Precip 2.46 (1942)	8 T Avgs: 91/65 Sig Prcp Freq: 10% Extremes: High T 104 (1930) Low T 51 (2004) Precip 2.15 (1949)	9 T Avgs: 91/64 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 103 (1936) Low T 48 (2004) Precip 1.20 (1941)	10 T Avgs: 90/64 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 104* (1963) Low T 47 (1962) Precip 1.24 (2007)
11 T Avgs: 89/63 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 106 (2000) Low T 50 (1976) Precip 1.20 (1969)	12 T Avgs: 89/64 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 108 (1930) Low T 49 (1940) Precip 3.55 (1933)	13 T Avgs: 89/63 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 105 (1930) Low T 48* (1975) Precip 3.50 (1989)	14 T Avgs: 88/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 21% Extremes: High T 104* (1918) Low T 46* (1945) Precip 3.60 (1925)	15 T Avgs: 87/63 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 104 (1943) Low T 41 (1993) Precip 1.51 (2005)	16 T Avgs: 87/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 23% Extremes: High T 104 (1956) Low T 45 (1993) Precip 2.43 (1964)	17 T Avgs: 88/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 102 (1997) Low T 41 (1981) Precip 1.14 (1976)
18 T Avgs: 88/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 103 (1952) Low T 40 (1981) Precip 1.96 (1971)	19 T Avgs: 87/62 Sig Prcp Freq: 16% Extremes: High T 102* (1930) Low T 47 (2003) Precip 4.38 (1965)	20 T Avgs: 87/61 Sig Prcp Freq: 12% Extremes: High T 103 (1953) Low T 44* (1918) Precip 2.15 (1965)	21 T Avgs: 86/60 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 102* (1977) Low T 35 (1983) Precip 1.79 (1974)	22 T Avgs: 86/59 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 101 (1977) Low T 40 (1983) Precip 1.92 (1969)	23 T Avgs: 85/59 Sig Prcp Freq: 14% Extremes: High T 100 (1926) Low T 40 (1994) Precip 5.26 (1997)	24 T Avgs: 84/58 Sig Prcp Freq: 13% Extremes: High T 100* (1930) Low T 35 (1989) Precip 1.97 (1916)
25 T Avgs: 83/58 Sig Prcp Freq: 19% Extremes: High T 99* (1998) Low T 40* (1975) Precip 2.77 (1974)	26 T Avgs: 84/56 Sig Prcp Freq: 15% Extremes: High T 106 (1953) Low T 38 (2000) Precip 3.71 (1936)	27 T Avgs: 84/55 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 104 (1953) Low T 38 (1942) Precip 1.96 (1973)	28 T Avgs: 84/56 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 105 (1953) Low T 38 (1967) Precip 0.70 (1926)	29 T Avgs: 83/55 Sig Prcp Freq: 11% Extremes: High T 100* (1928) Low T 40 (1916) Precip 3.00 (1986)	30 T Avgs: 83/54 Sig Prcp Freq: 9% Extremes: High T 105 (1977) Low T 28 (1984) Precip 1.22 (1941)

Campus Fire Safety #OKfire

Going to college can be an exciting time for students and their parents, but it also brings an increased level of student responsibility while at school.According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there were 85 fatal fires in dormitories, Greek housing, and off-campus housing from January 2000 to May 2015. These fires resulted in 118 fatalities. Whether on- or off- campus, it’s important for students and parents to understand fire risks and life-saving preventive actions. There are several specific causes for fires in college housing including cooking, candles, smoking, and overloaded power strips. Be fire safe! The USFA encourages students to follow these tips, including: Keep your cooking area clean and free of anything that can burn; Use flameless candles; Check for cigarette butts, especially under cushions, after a party.  Use surge protectors or power strips that have internal overload protection; and Have a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room if you live off-campus. Parents can also help promote off-campus fire safety through the “See it Before You Sign It”  campaign from the National Fire Protection Association. This campaign encourages parents to help their loved ones choose secure, fire safe housing in apartments or homes that are off-campus.

Are you #OKready for #OKheat?

Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather

As summer heats up, learn how to prepare for high temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sickness from the heat occurs when your body cannot compensate and properly cool you off. However, heat-related illness and death are preventable. Before the next heat wave, outdoor activity, or Fourth of July celebration, follow these protective actions from the CDC and stay cool this summer: Stay in an air-conditioned location as much as possible. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Take several breaks from the heat, especially midday when the sun is hottest. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing, and sunscreen. Remember that you should reapply sunscreen every three to four hours. Take cool showers or baths to cool down. Check on friends or neighbors during extremely hot days and have someone do the same for you. Never leave children or pets in cars. Check the local news for health and safety updates. Find more information on extreme heat preparedness at www.ready.gov/heat.

Disaster Preparedness at Your Fingertips

Take the first step toward emergency preparedness by downloading the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app. Did you know your smartphone can be an important tool to help you prepare? Many people use mobile applications (apps) to receive updates on severe weather, help them plan for emergencies, and stay informed of community activities. The Disaster Information Management Research Center compiled apps from various organizations to help you find appropriate and trustworthy applications including those from FEMA and the American Red Cross. These apps cover the following areas: Family Reunification American Red Cross Suite of Apps Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Hazardous Substances Medical and Health Information Responder Support and Safety including field operations guides Psychological Health Tools for staying emotionally healthy U.S. Federal Agencies Surveillance and Alerts such as disease outbreaks and severe weather warnings Having preparedness information and planning tools literally at your fingertips is an easy way to take action now!

Fire Safety for Older Adults #OKfire

People over the age of 65 face the greatest risk of dying in a fire, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).  Reduce that risk by protecting yourself and your loved-ones with these special precautions from the USFA: Install and maintain smoke alarms on each level of your home and inside and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly, and replace alkaline batteries at least once a year. Develop a fire escape plan around your abilities. If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure that you can go through the doorways. Unless instructed by the fire department, never use an elevator during a fire. When using medical oxygen, the amount of oxygen in the air can increase. This means there is a higher risk of both fires and burns because it is easier for a fire to start and spread. Never smoke in a home where someone is using medical oxygen. Also, never use a candle, match, lighter or other open flame. In addition, never use a fireplace, stove or other equipment fueled by gas, kerosene, wood or coal. Keep oil, grease and similar petroleum-based products away from oxygen valves. They can cause a spontaneous explosion. Learn more about how older adults can stay safe from fire with more tips, resources and statistics from the USFA.