If you're installing a wood stove, install safety with it

Last Updated on Wednesday, 05 October 2011 12:26 Written by Joyce Findlen Wednesday, 05 October 2011 12:20

10/03/2011 12:00 AM EDT

This time of year, with heating costs high, you might be thinking of installing wood stove. Have a professional install it to make sure chimney and stove are set up safely. If you're a "do-it-yourselfer", visit the [State Fire Marshal's web site](http://www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/index.htm) and look for their Alternate Heating Safety fact sheet.

From the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

A communications compass helps families who are spread out over the map - MEMA

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 12:34 Written by Claudette Draper Tuesday, 20 September 2011 12:31

09/19/2011 12:00 AM EDT

These days, anyone can have family members across the state, across the country or across the globe. This makes having a family communications plan (http://www.maine.gov/mema/prepare/prep_display.shtml?id=163545) especially important. There's no more helpless feeling than worrying about someone you can't get in touch with. Set up central points of contact. Make sure everyone has everyone else's phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Then keep in touch!

FEMA'S Ready Campaign

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 14:17 Written by Claudette Draper Tuesday, 13 September 2011 14:02

National Preparedness Month is lead by FEMA's Ready
Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corp and The Advertising
Council, and is a nationwide effort encouraging individuals,
families, businesses and communities to work together and
take action to prepare for emergencies.

This year, FEMA, the American Red Cross, the Ad Council
and Google Crisis Response collaborated to launch a new
preparedness web resource, Get Tech Ready. This new
resource educates individuals and families about how using
modern-day technology can help them prepare, adapt and
recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies or disasters.
Get Tech Ready provides Americans with tips on how to
use technological resources before, during and after an
emergency to communicate with loved ones and manage
your financial affairs. Preparedness tips on the website include:

Read more: FEMA'S Ready Campaign

What does National Preparedness Month mean to you? - MEMA

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 September 2011 13:22 Written by Claudette Draper Wednesday, 07 September 2011 13:16

09/01/2011 12:00 AM EDT

September is National Preparedness Month. But national promotions and events do not prepare your family for a disaster: you do! Start building your family emergency plan today.