For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

North Haven Fire Chief Offers Hurricane Preparedness Tips

NORTH HAVEN — Chief Paul Januszewski and the North Haven Fire Department are recommending a series of precautions to residents in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm in the coming weeks and months.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the largest threat period for Connecticut occurring from mid-August to mid-October, according to Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s office.

“While there aren’t currently any hurricanes headed our way, it is always better to have a plan and be prepared for the event of a powerful storm, especially this time of year,” Chief Januszewski said. “Please go over safety plans with your loved ones so that in the event of a storm, everyone is as prepared as they can be.”

The North Haven Fire Department Facebook page, North Haven Police Department Facebook page and the Town of North Haven website will be updated regularly during the event of a hurricane or significant storm. Residents can also call 211 to obtain statewide information.

Chief Januszewski recommends the following tips from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) and Department of Public Health:

Educate yourself and your family

Find out if there are any places near your home that could be dangerous or cause an emergency like:

• An area that can flood, like land near a river or lake
• Buildings where chemicals are made or stored

Have a safe place to go. If you are asked to evacuate (leave your home), you can go to:

• The home of a family member
• A friend’s home
• A motel, hotel or shelter

Learn what to do in case of an emergency where you work and at your child’s school or daycare.

Sign up for the Connecticut Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems to get emergency messages emailed to you or sent by text message to your mobile phone. For more information and to register, go to www.ct.gov/ctalert.

Make a plan for yourself and your family

• Pick safe places in your home where you can go if there is an emergency.
• Have two different ways to get out of your home in case you have to leave.
• Pick a place that your family will meet in case you are separated during an emergency.

– Pick one place that’s in your neighborhood.

– Pick one place that’s outside of your neighborhood.

• • Pick your family contacts – two people you and your family members can call in case you are separated during an emergency.

– Pick one person who lives in the same state.

– Pick one person who lives in a different state.

– Write down your contacts’ phone numbers and make sure everyone in your family has a copy of them.

• Pick a place where you can stay in case you have to evacuate your home for a few days.
• Make a plan for what you will do to keep your pets safe if there is an emergency.
• Know how to turn off the electricity, gas and water in your home in case the need arises.
• Check in on your elderly or disabled family member and neighbors when it is safe to do so. Make sure they are prepared for the event of a hurricane.

In addition, ahead of any storms that could make landfall, bring indoors or otherwise secure any lawn furniture or outdoor items that could be blown around in heavy winds.

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