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Created: 13 January 2025

IEMA-OHS Encourages Testing During Radon Action Month

Press Release - Friday, January 10, 2025

IEMA-OHS and the American Lung Association relaunch two statewide awareness contests

SPRINGFIELD - With no scent, color, or taste, radon is a stealthy killer. In fact, it's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. "January is National Radon Action Month and a good opportunity to learn about this gas," explained Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau.

"It is estimated that more than 1,100 people in Illinois develop radon-related lung cancer each year. IEMA-OHS is encouraging all property owners and renters to understand the risk and test for radon," said Tate-Nadeau.

Radon test kits can be purchased by calling the Illinois Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245 or at most hardware and department stores. It is recommended to conduct one short-term test and one long-term test to ensure consistent readings. Should you find higher readings, you should contact IEMA-OHS at 800-325-1245 for information about a licensed mitigation professional who are trained to reduce radon levels.

For information on radon measurement, mitigation, and licensing, visit the IEMA-OHS Radon page at https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon.html. Information is also available through IEMA-OHS' Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245.

Statewide Awareness Poster & Video Contests

IEMA-OHS and the American Lung Association (ALAIL) will also hold two statewide contests that encourage school students to create awareness posters or videos to increase knowledge among their classmates. High school students can enter a 30-second commercial style video, while middle school students can enter a poster that encourages radon testing.

"Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Since radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, the only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air. This is why it is critical for everyone to test their home," said Jill Heins-Nesvold, Nationwide Senior Director of Indoor Air Quality for the American Lung Association. "This contest is a perfect way for everyone to learn more about this dangerous gas and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones."

Both contests are sponsored by IEMA-OHS and the American Lung Association. For more information on the awareness poster and video content, visit https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon/radoncontest.html.

2024 Radon Poster Winners

• 1st place - Hufford Junior High School (Gabriela S.)
• 2nd place - Reservoir Gifted Academy (Lilly D.)
• 3rd place - St. Alphonus/St. Patrick School (Amelia D.)

2024 Radon Video Winners  

• 1st place - Morris Community High School (Callie F., Janelle D., and Elise K.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2t2PaWEd3c

• 2nd place - Morris Community High School (Olyvia P.) https://youtu.be/LtPTMrhlO5g?si=-eG6EqhSVZHIMrcW
• 3rd place - Mahomet-Seymour High School (Brianna D. and Braden P.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_rb1CU5KME

Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS): Ready.Illinois.Gov

IEMA-OHS Social Media: X/Twitter | Meta/Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

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Created: 16 December 2024

Increased Safety Will Help Keep Your Holidays Festive Rather Than Frustrating

Residents can find more tips in the IEMA Winter Weather Preparedness Guide

, as well as the Ready Illinois and NWS Winter Prep sites.

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Created: 08 November 2024

Illinois Emergency Management Agency and

Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS)

Winter Weather Preparation Tips!

 

Illinois residents are encouraged to keep a winter storm kit in their vehicles.

 

As winter weather approaches, it’s important for Illinois residents to be prepared for anything. Having the right items on hand could possibly save your life.

 

Nov. 4-8 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is making sure people take stock of preparedness items.

 

“If you take steps now to be ready for bitter winds, snow, and ice, you’ll be grateful during the first storm,” said IEMA-OHS Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Each of us needs to think about preparing our home, offices, school, vehicle, and family for the worst because extreme cold and blizzards can be deadly.”

 

Items in this kit should include:

 

Cell phone and chargers

Blankets/sleeping bags

Extra clothing

Jumper cables

Flashlight

Extra batteries

Extra water

High-calorie, non-perishable foods

 

Tate-Nadeau said that there’s a very small possibility of escaping winter weather. There has not been a winter in the state without at least one winter storm in the past century.

 

According to Tate-Nadeau, from Dec. 2023 through March 2024, they were four snow/ice storms that impacted Illinois. Additionally, there were 10 winter storms affecting the state from Nov. 2022 through March 2023.

 

“The National Weather Service (NWS) is simplifying winter weather warnings and advisories to make it easier for the public to understand,” said NWS Central Illinois Warning Coordination Meteorologist Ed Shimon. “Wind chill watches, warnings and advisories have been eliminated. Instead, they have been consolidated into extreme cold watches and warnings and cold weather advisories.”

 

Items in your kit should be available year-round, but preparing your home before the winter rolls around can also be essential to survival. Prepping your home includes:

 

Checking walls and attics for insulation

Weatherizing doors and windows

Insulating water pipes

Detaching and draining water hoses

Sealing leaks

Having extra fuel for heating

Reviewing safety instructions for each preparation measure

School and office preparations are similar to those of a house, and they include procedures for notifying staff and students about potential closings and transportation.

 

For more information on travel preparedness visit gettingaroundillinois.com, and for more tips on weather preparation go to the IEMA Winter Weather Preparedness Guide (https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/iemaohs/preparedness/documents/winter-storm-preparedness-guidebook.pdf).

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Created: 28 October 2024

Published October 28th, 2024

Halloween Hazards Lurk, so Have a Frightful Harvest Holiday, but Keep it Safe, IDPH Urges

If you are Sick, Skip Trick-or-treating and Stay Home

CHICAGO – Halloween is time for spooky celebrations, but the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising Illinoisans to keep safety in mind and take some simple precautions to avoid any for real holiday horrors.

Trick-or-treaters who are feeling ill should get tested and stay home if sick, to avoid sharing any creepy contagions. Those giving out treats should wash hands frequently. Party hosts should include outdoor spaces if possible and review options for improving ventilation in their homes to keep germs from spreading. And the best protection from coughing and hacking hobgoblins like COVID-19 and the flu – protection that lasts through the fall and winter seasons - is to get fully vaccinated.

Other dangers lurk and threaten to cause havoc in various ways, including unsafe costumes, overdoing it on sweets and treats, carving pumpkins and setting up holiday decorations.

Here are additional Halloween safety tips offered by health and safety experts:

• Wear costumes with “flame resistant” on the label. If you make a DIY costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
• Wear bright, reflective costumes or add strips of reflective tape so you’ll be more visible when crossing streets.
• Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure your vision.
• Test the makeup you plan to use at least 24-48 hours in advance to avoid allergic reactions.
• Vibrantly colored makeup is popular at Halloween. Check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if the colors are FDA approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, don’t use them. This is especially important for colored makeup around the eyes.
• Don’t wear decorative (colored) contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and been given instructions for how to use the lenses.

When it comes to enjoying Halloween treats and sweets, the FDA offers the following nutritional and safety tips for trick-or-treaters:

• Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home.
• Eat a snack before heading out to avoid the temptation of nibbling on a treat before it has been inspected.
• In case of a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept — or eat — anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
• Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from the Halloween bags.
• Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also reminds the public to beware of Halloween holiday hazards. Over the past three years, CPSC estimates that an annual average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.

Here’s how the injuries break down:

• 55% were related to pumpkin carving;
• 25% were due to falls while putting up or taking down decorations, tripping on costumes or walking while trick-or-treating;
• 20% of the injuries included lacerations, ingestions and other injuries associated with costumes, pumpkins or decorations, and allergic reactions or rashes.

Among the injured, 54 percent were adults 18 years and over, 46 percent were under 18 years old, and about 10 percent of all injuries were to children 6 years old or younger.

Stay safe this Halloween by observing the following CPSC safety tips:

Pumpkin Carving:

• Leave pumpkin carving to the adults. Child helpers can grab a spoon and scoop out the inside or use a marker to trace the design.
• When your jack-o’-lantern masterpiece is ready, use battery-operated lights or glow sticks rather than an open-flame candle.
• If using open-flame candles, keep them away from curtains, decorations and other combustibles that could catch fire.
• Never leave burning candles unattended
• Check out the CPSC’s Halloween Safety DIY video: https://youtu.be/HF3as5MGlzY

Decorating:

• Prevent fires by using battery-operated lights and glow sticks instead of candles.
• Pay attention to placement of decorations. To help prevent falls, remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
• Use CPSC’s ladder safety tips to prevent injuries while putting up or taking down decorations.
• Indoors or outside, only use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.

For more Halloween Safety tips and resources, check out this site from the Illinois Poison Center.