Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness information for a natural disaster that can occur, tornado, flood or earthquake can be obtained by contacting the health department.

How can you protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays?

The best way to protect yourself against the damaging effects of the sun is to limit exposure and protect your skin.

The best way to prevent sunburn in children over 6 months old is to follow these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology:

Examine your entire skin on a regular basis. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a healthcare provider right away. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

Remember, sand and pavement reflect UV rays even while under an umbrella. Snow and water are also good reflectors of UV rays. Reflective surfaces can reflect most of the damaging sun rays.

Also take special care to buy protective eyewear for you and your children. Choose sunglasses with labels stating they provide UV protection.

Remember that many over-the-counter and prescription medicines increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. So it’s possible to develop a severe sunburn in just minutes when taking certain medicines. Read medicine labels carefully and use extra sunscreen as needed.

Missouri Department of Public Safety SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency) offers information regarding preparedness in an emergency. Please copy and paste the link provided below in your browser to be directed to SEMA website for important information.

https://sema.dps.mo.gov/plan_and_prepare/severe_thunderstorms.php

Current information on Bio-Terrorism may be obtained by contacting the following number and websites.