This Citizen Corps News Digest is provided by FEMA's Individual & Community Preparedness Division to highlight community preparedness and resilience resources and activities recently announced by federal agencies and Citizen Corps partners.

DHS -FEMA Updates

Holiday Wishes

A Special Message from Paulette Aniskoff, Director of FEMA's Individual and Community Preparedness Division

As the holidays approach, I think with gratitude of those who throughout the year have given so much of themselves to help others in times of need. As a nation, we have faced many challenges resulting from such devastating weather events as the wildfires across the mid-west, a summer drought, Tropical Storm Debby and even ‘super storm' Sandy, and I have been deeply moved by the steadfast commitment so many remarkable individuals have shown toward our nation's recovery and renewal by serving in our communities.

The giving of ourselves and providing service to others is what this season is all about and I encourage each of you to make this the time you take your giving to new heights. Giving does not have to be a financial contribution; instead it can be a simple act of service. It can also include sharing the message of preparedness or taking a few simple steps to prepare your family, your home or your business for potential emergencies.

As we move into the coming year, I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and the very best for a New Year.

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Colder Weather is Upon Us – Be Prepared for Power Outages

Much of the Midwest is slowly digging out after more than a foot of snow was dumped in some areas, making it the first major snowstorm of the winter season which begins December 21. Now is the time of year when temperatures drop and the chances of a winter storm are greater. It is also the time of year when gusting winds and accumulating ice and snow can bring power outages .

Below are a few considerations you can share with community members when discussing how to prepare for the winter weather a power outage :

Actions to take for a power outage :

• Ensure you have a battery-powered or hand cranked radio to listen for emergency updates and news reports.
• If using a portable generator during a power outage, it should always be operated outside , away from doors and windows to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide.
• Have flashlights or electric lanterns on hand to provide light; candles may add a spark of adventure during power failures, but they are dangerous fire hazards. Flashlights and electric lanterns require batteries so consider, during extended outages, keeping a supply of extra batteries .
• Remember , microwaves will not work! It's important to keep a supply of water and of nonperishable food such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, canned juices, milk, and soup. Additionally, have a hand-operated can opener available.

Actions to take to get ready for snow or winter weather:

• Winterize your vehicle and your home.
• Most importantly, minimize travel as blizzard-like conditions may arise making it difficult to see when driving.
• Ensure you have snow shovels and other snow removal equipment on hand.
• Bring pets/companion animals inside. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Gift-giving is in the air this time of year as many people around the country are celebrating holiday traditions. Over the past few weeks on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, we've been sharing ideas on gifts that will make your loved ones smile and be useful before, during or after emergencies.

Gifts like:

• An emergency kit for your car : Include windshield scraper, booster cables, hat & mittens, blanket, snack food & flares.
• A solar-powered or hand-crank cell phone charger .
• Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class. You take the class as a couple or with the family!
• Travel-size games to include in an emergency kit; this way kids are entertained if you lose power or need to evacuate.
• A NOAA weather radio to ensure friends and family always have the latest on severe weather conditions in their area.
• A sleeping bag or a warm blanket . They can prove especially useful if friends/family loses power during the cold winter months.

Visit Ready.gov for more holiday gift ideas.

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Cool Updates to a Winter Emergency Kit

Winter weather has the ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to a home or office, sometimes for days at a time. Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. An emergency kit is a vital item to have when impacted by winter weather.

FEMA recently tweeted about updating emergency kits specifically for winter. Some new items in a winter emergency kit should include:

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

Share this safety tip with others to help everyone be prepared this winter season!

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Dates for Your Calendar!

• December is Winter Storm Awareness
• December is Season of Suppers Campaign
• December 21: First Day of Winter
• December 27-28: National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference, Alexandria, VA,
• January 8-13, 2013: International Disaster Conference and Expo, New Orleans, LA

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About FEMA

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.