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Emergency Access Initiative

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), in partnership with members of  the Professional & Scholarly Publishing division of the Association of
American Publishers announce the availability of free full-text articles from over 200 biomedical journals and over 30 select reference books for libraries and hospitals affected by the earthquake in Haiti.  The collection is also intended for healthcare personnel responding to the disaster.

The Emergency Access Initiative collection is a combination of common biomedical journal titles and reference books, and also emergency medicine related titles.  The Emergency Access Initiative serves as a temporary collection replacement and/or supplement for libraries affected by disasters that need to continue to serve medical staff and affiliated users.  It is also intended for medical personnel responding to the specified disaster.

The literature is being provided as part of the Emergency Access
Initiative – a collaborative partnership between NLM, the National
Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) and participating publishers to provide free access to full-text articles and select reference books to
healthcare professionals and libraries affected by disasters.  While the
project was established to assist libraries affected by disasters in the
United States, NLM and the publishers are activating the Emergency
Access Initiative today in light of the medical disaster unfolding in
the aftermath of the earthquake.

Emergency Access Initiative: http://eai.nlm.nih.gov

For questions regarding the Emergency Access Initiative, please email
custserv@nlm.nih.gov or call 1-888-346-3656 in the United States, or
301-594-5983 internationally.  Libraries in the United States can
contact their Regional Medical Library for assistance and support at
1-800-338-7657

An earthquake happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently, and without warning at any time of the day or night. If an earthquake occurs in a populated area, it may cause property damage, injuries, and even deaths. After the tremendous 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, here are a list of resources about both health and emergency preparedness during an earthquake:
Resources about the Haiti earthquake

General Resources:

The CDC recently issued a media advisory about the low temperatures around the nation. Especially when the temperature drops, staying warm and performing everyday activities can be challenging and dangerous.  Even more frustrating is finding no-cost ways to save energy and money.

Here are some tips on coping with the weather while saving money & energy:

Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save an average of 3 percent on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting. Setting the thermostat back to 55 degrees when leaving home for an extended time can save you 5-20 percent of your heating costs (heat pumps should only be set back two degrees to prevent unneeded use of backup strip heating).

Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Now is also the time for a furnace “tune-up.” Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the “normal” setting or 120º, unless the owner’s manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs. Insulate the first five feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length until the pipe goes into the wall if that is less than five feet. Pipe insulation is available from your hardware store.

Use cold water when washing clothes. About 16 percent of an average home energy bill goes just for heating water. Most detergents clean well in cooler temperatures. Keep clothes dryer free of lint and inspect dryer vent to be sure it is free of obstructions.

Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath to reduce hot water use.

Let the sun in. Open drapes and shades on the sunny side of your house to help warm the home during the day. Close drapes and shades at night to cut heat loss.

Remove window air conditioning units for the winter. If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it cannot be moved, buy a cover to prevent drafts.

Close your flue. Always make sure the fireplace damper seals tightly and remains closed except when a fire is burning or smoldering in the fireplace. Also shut fire place doors if installed.

Use your ceiling fan. Ceiling fans help keep you comfortable not only in the summer but in the winter as well. Reversing the direction of the blades pushes warm air down into the room. Fans should turn clockwise in the summer and counter-clockwise in the winter. When purchasing new ceiling fans, consider an Energy Star model for optimum fan and motor efficiency.

Put your computer to sleep. Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when the equipment is not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.

Don’t waste hot water. Adjust load size on washer to fit actual load. Set small loads to low water level to save water and energy.

Flip the switch. Turn off all appliances and equipment when not in use: lights, TVs, VCRs or DVDs, computers, other electronics.

Keep vent space clean & clear. Make sure heating registers, vents and cold air returns are not blocked by draperies, furniture or rugs. These should also be cleaned regularly with a vacuum or a broom.

Above information came from Keep Warm Illinois. Keep Warm Illinois represents a collaboration among state agencies working together to serve the state’s residents and is a one-stop site for information about how to battle winter in Illinois and how to tap to resources that help you keep yourself and your homes and businesses warm, and to do so efficiently and cleanly.

Winterize Yourself

No one ever seems to be ready for winter, but ready or not winter is upon us. And naturally, many people prefer to remain indoors during the winter, however staying inside doesn’t mean that you are completely safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall. So, take these steps from the CDC to keep your home safe and warm:

Add the following supplies to your disaster supplies kit:

  • Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
  • Sand to improve traction
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.

Prepare your home and family

  • Prepare for possible isolation in your home by having sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off. For example, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
  • Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
  • Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
  • Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.
  • Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
  • Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
  • Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors or employees.
  • Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow – or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Prepare your car

  • Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
    • Antifreeze levels – ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
    • Battery and ignition system – should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
    • Brakes – check for wear and fluid levels.
    • Exhaust system – check for leaks and crimped pipes andrepair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
    • Fuel and air filters – replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.
    • Heater and defroster – ensure they work properly.
    • Lights and flashing hazard lights – check for serviceability.
    • Oil – check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
    • Thermostat – ensure it works properly.
    • Windshield wiper equipment – repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
  • Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
  • Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.
  • Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes:
    • a shovel
    • windshield scraper and small broom
    • flashlight
    • battery powered radio
    • extra batteries
    • water
    • snack food
    • matches
    • extra hats, socks and mittens
    • First aid kit with pocket knife
    • Necessary medications
    • blanket(s)
    • tow chain or rope
    • road salt and sand
    • booster cables
    • emergency flares
    • fluorescent distress flag

Dress for the Weather

  • Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
  • Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
  • Wear a hat.
  • Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

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