June 12, 2007

June is National Safety Month and a perfect time to reflect on standards of health and safety in one's home, workplace and community. With a 2007 theme of "Celebrating Safe Communities," the National Safety Council hopes to help make the lives of everyone a little safer in each of these areas.

Workplace Preparedness

Preparation is the best way to stay safe in any crisis situation, whether during power outages, natural disasters or outbreaks of illness. To ensure a safe and ready workplace, E.ON U.S. has long had business continuity plans in place to ensure that the business, as an essential community service provider, will recover from any disaster and continue to operate. More recently, the company has joined efforts with local, state and federal agencies to develop a pandemic plan in anticipation of a possible influenza outbreak.

Home Preparedness

Similar attention to home preparedness is critical to ensuring your safety and that of your loved ones during a crisis. Fortunately, you can take action now to prepare your home and family. During a widespread emergency, it may be difficult to travel to the store or find adequate supplies, so an advance plan and inventory of supplies is critical. Review an example family preparedness plan and develop your own to share with your family. For instance, keep a two-week supply of water, prescription drugs and such food items and health supplies as:

• Canned foods
• Protein bars
• Peanut butter or nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Bottled water (one gallon of water per person per day)
• Fluids with electrolytes
• Baby food or pet food, if applicable
• Manual can opener
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Medical supplies
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Vitamins
• Flashlights
• Batteries

Community Preparedness

One of the best ways for a community to prepare for a possible flu pandemic is to prevent the spread of germs. This is not only important during flu season, but throughout the entire year. Follow these steps for everyday health:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Stay at home if you are sick.

Find out more information about the pandemic flu and emergency preparation by researching the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.