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The RJWestmore Training System Version 3.0

RJWestmore Training System Version 3.0

RJWestmore Inc. is proud to announce the release of Version 3.0 of our comprehensive e-based safety training program. The new system boasts features that property managers and building owners, employers and occupants have come to depend on for building specific safety training, such as the integration and automation that brings together facility managers, fire safety directors and local fire departments. The system upgrade showcases our continued commitment to offer the most user-friendly and complete training system on the market. Here is a snapshot of some of the new functionality that RJWestmore trainees will enjoy with Version 3.0:

New “Basics for individuals who need Special Assistance”

Basic Special Assistance Guidelines are now automatically sent when individual users add themselves to the RJWestmore Special Assistance List. Users will find copies of this in “Your Resources,” under the “Forms, Lists and Guidelines bullet point.

Version 3.0 offers lots of great features.

New “Management Report”

All user-training base information (relative to the past and current year) is contained in one easy-to-use Excel report.

New “Occupants” Page

The “Occupants” Tab in all users’ database management system now displays:

• Floor and suite information for every person
• Color-coded “Previous” and “Current Year” certification dates
• Past due training alert icon (over12 months)

New “System Notifications” Page

• How users choose how to view messages
• New Messages
• Read Messages
• Archived Messages—users can choose which messages to archive

New Social Media Links

• This enables users to share news of their life-saving training with friends.

• If you own or manage a building, or know someone who does, do them a favor. Let them know about the RJWestmore Training System. Choosing our service cuts property management training related workloads by 90% and saves users over 50% compared to conventional training! More importantly, IT SAVES LIVES! BE SAFE.

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 3.0 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

Part 2 of a 2-Part Series

National Stroke Awareness Month is an annual event held each May since 1989, designed to make Americans aware that they may be able to “Save the Life” of a person experiencing a stroke…be it a co-worker, friend, neighbor or family member. In this second part of our two-week series about stroke awareness, we will cover the ways you can raise awareness about stroke prevention and treatment and how to identify and eliminate risk factors.

Over the years, public education campaigns have been conducted during May to increase awareness of different aspects of stroke that directly affect specific populations, such as women or those at high risk for stroke. Today, National Stroke Association continues educating the public through campaigns such as the Faces of Stroke℠ and by creating easy-to-use tools and resources that initiate individuals and groups to raise awareness on a local level.

According to Samaritan Stroke Services, risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and smoking.

“If stroke or other risk factors run in your family, there’s a higher chance you could be at risk too,” says Karen Phillips, RN and clinical coordinator for Samaritan Stroke Services. “By talking to your doctor and taking preventative measures, you'll have a much better chance of avoiding a stroke."

What can you do this May to raise awareness about stroke prevention and treatment?

1. Familiarize yourself with the emotional, physical and financial impacts that strokes have on our country.
2. Influence others to improve their health by sharing personal stories of how stroke affects lives.
3. Talk to legislators and thought leaders about how their decisions can positively affect survivors throughout their recovery.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Chance of Having a Stroke?

• People with a family history of stroke are more likely to have a stroke. If you have such a history of stroke, let your doctor know.
• Prevent and control high blood pressure
• Prevent and control diabetes.
• Eat healthy food
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise
• Abstain from using tobacco
• Do not overindulge in alcohol (Don’t drink more than two drinks per day on average for men or more than one drink per day on average for women).
• Treat atrial fibrillation.

The key to surviving a stroke is awareness and prompt medical attention. “Stroke does not have to be as debilitating as we once believed,” says James Meschia, M.D., director of Mayo Clinic's Primary Stroke Center. “However, obtaining prompt medical attention is critical so the effects of a stroke can be limited and the patient's condition can be managed to prevent further damage and improve recovery.”

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 3.0 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

Part 1 of a 2-Part Series

National Stroke Awareness Month is an annual event held each May since 1989, designed to make Americans aware that they may be able to “Save the Life” of a person experiencing a stroke…be it a co-worker, friend, neighbor or family member. In fact, knowing what causes a stroke, what you can do to prevent one and what to do if you or someone else may be experiencing a stroke could save a life—possibly even your own. In this first of a two-post series, we will discuss the nature and causes of strokes as well as the ways to prevent and identify strokes.

According to the CDC, the National Stroke Association and the Mayo Clinic, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is also a leading cause of serious long-term disability. There are approximately 795,000 new strokes reported in America each year. And although the majority of strokes strike people who are aged 65 years or older, strokes can actually occur at any age. In fact, according to a new study, Trends of Acute Ischemic Stroke Hospitalizations in the U.S., the CDC found that stroke hospitalizations have increased among both males and females aged 5–44 years old, raising concern about young people who might not be aware that they, too, could suffer from strokes.

A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. Brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or when they are damaged by sudden bleeding. When these cells die during a stroke, the victim loses those abilities that are controlled by that area of the brain. These abilities include speech, movement and memory. How a stroke patient is affected depends on where the stroke occurs in how much of the brain is damaged.

For example, someone who has a small stroke may experience only minor problems such as weakness of an arm or leg. People who have large strokes may be paralyzed on one side or even lose their ability to speak. Although some people recover completely from strokes, more than 2/3 of survivors incur some type of disability.

The good news is that up to 80% of strokes are preventable. So, armed with the right information, you can prevent a stroke! The best thing you can do to prevent a stroke is to familiarize yourself with stroke symptoms. And, if you or anyone appears to be suffering a stroke, immediately call 911. Do not delay. Don’t worry about being embarrassed if the symptoms turn out to be something other than a stroke. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. In fact, calling at once is crucial in order to ensure treatment is administered in a timely fashion. Given at the onset of a stroke, new treatments can actually reduce the severity of a stroke for some victims.

The most common warning signs of a stroke are sudden:

• Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding or problems with memory, spatial orientation or perception
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes, blurred or double vision
• Trouble walking, dizziness or loss or balance or coordination
• Severe headache with no known cause which may be accompanied by a stiff neck, facial pain, pain between your eyes, vomiting or altered consciousness

“Every minute counts,” according to Karen Phillips, RN and clinical coordinator for Samaritan Stroke Services. “When someone is having a stroke, the sooner they are treated, the greater their chances are of having a complete recovery or experiencing limited damage. When strokes are treated within three hours with “clot-busting” medication, most patients will do very well, but that drug will not be as effective after three hours from the onset of the stroke, so time truly is of the essence.”

For more about strokes, check out next week’s RJWestmore blog posts. In the meantime, when a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 3.0 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

The Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month each April since the 1970s. So we at RJWestmore, Inc would like to take this opportunity to devote one of our April blog posts to alert the public about autism-related issues.

Affecting one in every 88 children in America, autism is characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. This family of disorders includes autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art.

How can the average person help? Here are a few suggestions:

• Show you care. The Autism puzzle symbol is one of the most recognizable brands in the US. According to the Autism Society of America, the Autism Awareness Ribbon is a puzzle pattern which reflects the mystery and complexity of the autism spectrum. The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of the people and families who are living with the condition. The brightness of the ribbon signals hope—hope that through increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention and appropriate treatments, people with autism will lead fuller, more complete lives. Show your support of individuals who deal with autism by sporting the icon with a lapel pin, bumper sticker or refrigerator magnet.

To purchase the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon for your shirt, car, locker or refrigerator, or to order additional Autism Awareness items such as shoelaces, ornaments or scarves, click here.

Make a difference. Contact your representatives on the state and federal level and ask them to “Vote 4 Autism.” Connect to find out what your elected officials think about legislation which affects people with autism. For more information about this legislation and to take action to support it, visit www.autism-society.org/vote4autism. Also, you can search the Autism Legislation Database for up-to-date information about relevant issues.

Connect with your community.Many Autism Society local chapters hold special events in their communities throughout the month of April. But if you can’t find an event that suits you, feel free to create your own! Since autistic individuals struggle with simple tasks such as brushing their teeth or getting dressed, families need all of the help they can get.

1Power4Autism is an online tool that makes it easy to mobilize friends and family and help make a difference. The Autism Society recognizes the power that one person, one organization, one idea or one event can have on autism. Everyone can make a difference and support the one mission of the Autism Society.

A grassroots event program for the Autism Society to increase awareness, raise funds, and expand volunteers for national and local autism support programs, 1Power4Autism uses advocacy, fundraising events, volunteering and awareness campaigns to can create a powerful movement and make autism a national priority.

Watch a movie. Did you know that something as simple as going to the movies is not an option for many families affected by autism? The Autism Society is working with AMC Theatres to bring special-needs families Sensory Friendly Films every month. Click here for more information.

BE SAFE. RJWestmore, Inc. offers an informational worksheet detailing the most effective way to deal with people who have Autism, in the event of an emergency. The emergency preparedness instructions help family members as well as friends and first responders remember the proper methods for helping Autistic people, since those who care for people with autism, or are in close contact with an autistic person, must take special precautions before, during and after any emergency. What’s more, RJWestmore has a contact form for Autism Risk & Safety Management. Completing the form in advance provides first-responders.

Also, the RJWestmore Training System offers an informational PDF which is automatically sent to users who adds themselves to the Special Assistance List. The document is meant for anyone who identifies him or herself as having “any condition, temporary or permanent, that hinders or impedes the individual or others from safely evacuating.”

These individuals are encouraged to register and notify their company, the office of the building/Fire Safety Director and their Fire/Floor Warden.  They are also reminded to follow specific emergency action plan manual instructions and participate in all drills. All of these resources are provided for the safety of the affected individual as well as those in his or her community.

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit RJWestmore.com for more information.

April is Earthquake Preparedness Month. So, in honor of that auspicious occasion, we would like to share some tips for making sure your preparedness efforts extend to your four-legged friends:

Before the Earthquake

• Prepare. Bring pets into home before storms. Make sure pet areas are secure and free from falling object danger. Crate training is helpful.
• Keep a list of phone numbers handy. Include current photos and physical description.
• Confirm your emergency evacuation plans. Practice with everyone, including your pets.
• Make a list of people who could potentially take care of your pet in your neighborhood as well as outside the area where you live, in case you are away from home when earthquakes strike. Identifying alternative housing for your pets will ensure their safe relocation during an evacuation.
• Include family, friends and neighbors in the development of your emergency plans. Figure out who would be willing to care for your pets in your absence. Agree in advance how the exchange would happen and provide written authority for them to act on your behalf. Review and update the plan annually using a date that is easy to remember (like your pet’s birthday or annual vaccination appointment).
• Prepare a “Go Bag” for your pet. Here are a few ideas for what you should include:

1. Food
2. Bottled water
3. Bowls
4. Cleaning supplies (pooper scooper, disposal bags, litter scooper)
5. Extra collar and leash
6. First aid kit
7. Prescription medications
8. Disposable litter box
9. Cat litter

• Crate (Some manufacturers make soft-sided, easy-to-store crates for travel.) Make sure ID tags and licenses are up to date. If possible, ask your vet about implanting a microchip in your pet. Pets with microchips are more likely to be safely returned to their owners in times of emergency.
• Keep up on vaccinations. Make sure your pet is current on all booster shots for common contagious diseases. In an emergency, your pet could be placed with other animals that could be harboring illness.
• Make sure your dog or cat is obedient and well trained. Enroll in obedience classes if necessary. During an emergency it will be critical that your dog obeys you and can be housed cooperatively with other animals or people.
• Keep pet travel packs in easy-to-access locations.

After the Earthquake

• Grab your pet’s “Go Bag” and implement your emergency plan.
  Be prepared for aftershocks, which are likely following any magic quake. Pets are ultra-sensitive to their masters’ state of mind. So try to remain calm.
• Try to keep your pet calm. Recognize they may be frightened or disoriented and may not behave as usual. Try to protect them from frightening experiences and monitor them closely when they interact with other animals or people, particularly children.
• If your pet is lost, contact your local animal shelter immediately.
• Do not allow pets to roam freely. Keep them on a leash, even if they normally follow you everywhere. They will be scared and will appreciate more structure in a stressful situation.
• Pets can become easily confused and disoriented. Try to get them on a regular schedule as soon as possible after earthquake or other emergency.
• Monitor news stations for reports of disaster and evacuation orders, and release of those orders.
• Contact your local animal control shelter for assistance. Many provide emergency evacuation services and even provide temporary housing for displaced animals.

After the Emergency Ends

• Allow for the fact your pet may remain fearful or uncertain even weeks after the earthquake emergency. Return to normalcy as soon as possible and monitor your pet for several weeks to make sure he or she is adjusting.
• Check your home and property for hidden dangers and new escape routes before you bring your pet home.
• Keep pets securely confined if work crews arrive to repair property damage.

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com for more information.

With warm weather comes the fresh breath of spring. But, along with it, for millions of Americans, spring means something else entirely—storm season! This year, devastating tornadoes and storms in the South have already left thousands of families in need of food, shelter and other basic necessities. Other spring storm-related disasters have included flooding, tornadoes and wildfires, all of which have resulted in numerous deaths and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property damage.

So, what steps can you take to make sure that this spring, you will BE SAFE? One way to prepare is to follow the Red Cross Be Ready Checklist. Find out if you’re ready by taking this brief quiz: (You are ready as long as you can answer each question with a heart “yes.”)

1. Do you know what emergencies or disasters are most likely to occur in your community?
• To find out which weather-related disasters are most likely to strike your region, check out the NOAA Weather website. RJWestmore Training System users can use the NOAA Weather Application while logged into the training site. For instance, residents of Illinois can check out the section about Chicago area tornado preparedness.

2. Do you have a family disaster plan and practice it?
• FEMA provides free resources to help you create a family plan.
• RJWestmore trainees have access to the following resources to aid in family planning:

• Home Fire Escape Plan
• Home Safety Basics for People with Special Needs
• Blackouts at Home
• Children and Disasters
• Family Communication After a Disaster
• Home Earthquake Plan
• Pets & Disaster Planning
• Planning for Those with Disabilities
• Red Cross Ready Make a Plan

3. Do you have an Emergency Preparedness Kit?

Tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Most individuals have both specific personal needs as well as resources to assist others. For specific ideas about what to pack in a “go bag,” check out RJWestmore blog posts. You can also find great ideas for preparing an emergency bag at the Ready.gov website.

4. Is at least one member of your household trained in first aid and CPR/AED?

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training meets the needs of workplace responders, school staffs, professional responders and healthcare providers, as well as the general public. The American Red Cross offers certified and non-certified training options. Check out the Red Cross website to access course descriptions and materials.

5. Have you taken action to help your community prepare?

You might consider joining a Community Emergency Response Team Program. Also known as CERT, this program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and also trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

Utilizing classroom training as well as exercises, CERT members learn to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com for more information.

Emergency managers are experiencing a “sense of urgency” about the importance of including mass notification systems in professional disaster plans.

A mass notification system is a means of delivering a message to a large set of recipients. The complexity of the system is often dependent on the type of message that must be sent. For example, a mass email might be sufficient to alert employees about a drill, whereas notifying individuals when a building is on fire would require real-time interaction, escalation, scheduling, rosters and fail-over scenarios. One such mass notification system is the Emergency Alert System (EAS).

Homeland Security describes the system like this: “The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, satellite digital audio radio service (SDARS) providers, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers to provide the communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as AMBER alerts and weather information targeted to specific areas.”

At a recent international security system conference, emergency manager, Mike Madden, explained the sense of urgency about creating mass notification systems of all kinds: “I think we are beginning to see a trend towards MNS spreading to larger corporate campuses and large manufacturing facilities because of the very nature of these large complexes and violence in the workplace. People are looking at more options to protect their employees.”

Incidents like the bombing of the Khobar Towers in 1996 and the shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007 moved the concept and importance of mass notification to the forefront for government as well as secondary education. As a result, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are adopting mass notification systems for hospitals and clinics around the country. What’s more, large defense contractors like Boeing are starting to explore the need for bring mass notification for military bases.

Part of the reason for interest in the systems is a basic cost benefit analysis for business owners who realize that, in an emergency, a mass notification system can get everyone to rapidly assemble at the onset of a disaster and quickly return to work stations following emergencies. And time is money.

Peter Ebersold, director of marketing for Notifier/Honeywell Fire Group said that, post September 11, most people expect mass notification to be employed. And at airports, that’s probably true. However, such is not always the case. In fact, a host of public transportation stations and large commercial buildings have no such system in place.

Fortunately, the RJWestmore Training System features a fully-integrated messaging system, which allows all users to instantly communicate with tenant managers or occupants in any property, without the necessity of leaving the RJWestmore Training System. While logged in, users can easily send mass messages which are delivered to everyone located in one or multiple properties, simply by clicking “all,” or targeting particular groups. So subscribers of the RJWestmore Training System don’t have to invest in cost-prohibitive free-standing notification systems for their commercial properties.

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com for more information.

Created in 1996, the AMBER Alert System is a legacy to Amber Hagerman, a nine-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Texas. While she was yet missing, local residents called radio stations in the Dallas area to offer their help. The active citizen involvement, though tragically unsuccessful in Amber’s case, led to the creation of broadcast alerts to help thwart child abductions across the nation.

Today, AMBER Alert is a partnership program involving law enforcement agencies, broadcasters and departments of transportation. Statistics show that most children who are kidnapped and later found murdered die within the first three hours of being taken. During an AMBER Alert, urgent news bulletins are broadcast over airwaves and posted to highway alert signs to enlist the aid of the public to find missing children and stop perpetrators in the all-important hours immediately following child abductions.

The AMBER Alert system is based on the same concept used to alert the public to a severe weather emergencies. During alerts, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, airs a description of the abducted child as well as his or her suspected abductor. The purpose is to instantly galvanize the entire community to search for and safely return abducted children. Studies show that when ordinary citizens become the eyes and ears of law enforcement, lives can be saved.

RJWestmore users can access the amber alert national map from their RJWestmore homepage:

1. Under “Your Resources” click “More Emergency Info.”
2. Open the “More Emergency Info” PDF and scroll down to the “Satellite Imagery” section.
3. Click on “Global Incident Map” and select “Amber Alerts.”

So how can average citizens help?

1. Be on the lookout for abducted children and suspects.
2. If you spot a child, adult, or vehicle fitting an AMBER Alert description, call 911 immediately and provide authorities with as much information as possible.
3. Each state or regional program has its own mechanism for relaying AMBER Alerts to the public. Check with the AMBER Alert coordinator in your local community to find out more about their procedures.
4. For more information about the national AMBER Alert plan and to find the name of your state AMBER Alert coordinator, visit the Department of Justice website.
5. Work with your local law enforcement agency to host a safety seminar at your school, church, community center, civic organization or neighborhood group.
6. Pay close attention to missing-children flyers and notices.
7. Keep current information and photos of your own children. Better safe than sorry.
8. Report emergency situations or provide information about missing or exploited children, call 911 to notify local police, or call 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678)
9. Report information about child pornography, child molestation, child prostitution, or the online enticement of children, log on to the CyberTipLine.
10. Find out more information about missing and exploited children by visiting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com for more information.

Include medications in your emergency preparedness kit.

Authorities repeatedly remind the public about the need for disaster preparedness to mitigate the impact of natural and man-made disasters. And here at RJWestmore, Inc., we encourage folks to BE SAFE by taking necessary steps to prepare for emergencies instead of being caught unawares. Arguably among the most important items to take care of on the front end is medicine.

Medicines are unlike other consumer goods because they are sensitive to external forces such as light and temperature. What’s more, medical professionals prescribe them only in small doses and most prescription or over-the-counter medications have limited shelf lives. So proper planning is important.

Thankfully, external stimulants like sunlight and extreme cold or heat may lead only to superficial changes, like discoloration. However, in other cases, failure to properly handle or store drugs may impact efficacy and/or potency. For specific instructions about safely handling and storing your own medication, contact your health professional. We are not doctors. So we provide these hints for handling medication only as a courtesy to encourage you to factor medication in your emergency planning.

Before a Disaster:

• Talk to your physician about your desire to prepare for emergencies. Ask if he or she would be willing to prescribe one extra dose of necessary medications, which you should fill and rotate in your disaster supply kit.
• Include medications for everyone in your family…including pets.
• Take extra care to make sure life-saving medicine is always on hand, such as insulin, heart medicine or asthma inhalers.
• Stock up on OTC medicine like aspirin, pain reliever, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medication and nasal decongestants.
• Don’t forget about topical agents like Calamine lotion, burn cream, hydrogen peroxide, eyewash and antibacterial ointment.
• Stow adhesive bandages, wraps, swabs, cotton balls, scissors, and disposable gloves, sterile dressings to stop bleeding, hand sanitizer or antibiotic towelettes.
• Prescribed medical supplies are as important as medications. Don’t forget important items like glucose monitoring equipment or blood pressure monitors.

Following an Emergency:

After emergencies such as a fire, earthquake or flood, consider the possibility that the effectiveness of your medicine may have been compromised.

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers information about specific drugs that can potentially be affected by fire, flooding or unsafe water as well as the use of temperature-sensitive products that might react if refrigeration becomes temporarily unavailable.

According to the FDA:

“If lifesaving medication in its container looks normal the medication could still be used until a replacement is available.” Again, please talk to your doctor about the medicines you rely on for health and wellness.

• During floods, medicines might be exposed to unsafe or contaminated water. Contaminated medication can have serious health repercussions.
• Authorities recommended that drug products—even those in their original containers—should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood or contaminated water. This includes medicine capsules, tablets and liquids in containers with screw-top caps, snap lids, or droppers.
• Medications that have been placed in alternative storage containers should also be discarded if they have come in contact with flood or contaminated water.
• For reconstituted medicines or drugs that are mixed with water, the FDA stresses that “The drug should only be reconstituted with purified or bottled water.” Also, in this case, use only water instead of alternative liquids.
• Power outages often immediately follow disasters. Some medicines such as insulin require refrigeration. This is important to consider because unrefrigerated insulin has a shorter shelf life than what is displayed on the label. So remember to check all of your drugs once power is restored. And, when in doubt, throw it out!

When a disaster of any kind strikes, prior planning and clear decisive action can help save lives. For the latest emergency management training for facility/building managers, contact RJWestmore, Inc. Our new Version 2.5 e-based training system offers the best emergency training system with automated and integrated features. What’s more, the NEW RJWestmore Property Messaging System is included FREE for all RJWestmore Online Training System users. Visit www.RJWestmore.com for more information.

BE SAFE. Be prepared for personal attacks.

Since we provide online safety training to tenants and residents of buildings, most of our blog posts relate to preparing for natural and man-made large-scale disasters. But our commitment to our clients’ safety extends beyond their well being while they are working or living in high rise structures. So we wanted to devote a post to personal security.

Is it possible to prepare yourself to deal with attempted assault and battery? Can you be sure you remain safe at all times? Should you take steps to make sure you’re prepared? Or is it enough to depend on uniformed police officers to step in on your behalf?

Here are a few startling statistics about crime in the United States:

• Approximately 12 million violent crimes are committed in the United States every single year.
• The violent crime category includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
• According to the most recent data available on the Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics’ website, in the United States in 2009, more than 307,000 people were victims of a violent crime:
• 88,000 forcibly raped
• 15,000 victims of murder or non-negligent manslaughter
• 408,000 robbed
• 807,000 assaulted
• The city of Detroit, Michigan is just one alarming example of how violent crime is thriving.  So far this year in Detroit, car thefts are up 83%, robberies are up 50%, burglaries are up 20% and property destruction is up 42%.
• Gang violence is rampant. USA Today reports that criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated one million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation.
• One in four women in America will be raped. The FBI reports that only one in four rapes is recorded in the Uniform Crime Reports. And those reports do not include rapes that end in death, since those are reported as homicides.

In light of these statistics, is it sufficient to expect law enforcement to step in to ensure your personal safety? Consider the fact that there are approximately 800,000 police officers in the nation. Since there are some 312 million people in America, the ratio of law enforcement to citizens is 1 to 40. While they do their best to serve and protect, cops are not omnipresent. So, it’s imperative that you do your part to BE SAFE:

1. BE aware. When you’re walking to your car or a building, make sure you remain alert and aware of your surroundings. Is anyone following you? Does anything appear suspicious? In the same way you were taught to drive defensively, constantly monitor your surroundings so you remain on your guard against potential attacks.
2. BE careful. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. If you walk by yourself in a dark alley at night or in a low-lit unsecured parking structure, you are inviting criminals to strike.
3. BE prepared. Whether you take a kick-boxing, martial arts or self-defense class, take steps to arm yourself with tools to fight off potential attackers.
4. BE heard. If you suspect that someone is following you, make noise. In fact, don’t be afraid to scream. If you are loud, you might thwart criminals who will move on to other less vocal targets of opportunity.
5.  BE wise. Don’t venture outside alone at night. Don’t stop by the side of the road to assist a stranded motorist if you’re by yourself. Don’t carry lots of cash or leave your purse or wallet open.

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