Are You Ready for the Longest Day of the Year?

Today is June 21st and the longest day of the year, right?

But while you're all thinking about summer and enjoying the bright, blue sky here in SW Washington, we want you to ask yourself if you're really ready for long days.

For those of us who work in the world of public safety, we know that the "longest day of the year" is not simply a math calculation of how long it will take the sun to rise and set over the earth.  But rather, the "long days" can be when nothing goes right, and worse.....when everything goes very wrong.

So, what can you do to be ready?  Most folks will tell you the party line of "Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit" which are all great things to do....but we're going to propose something slightly more basic today.   We want you to....

• Think Ahead
• Be Aware 
• Look Out for Others

If you think about it, these 3 easy tips will help you out in just about every situation in life. 

For example, if you THINK AHEAD, you might consider

• Getting medical prescriptions filled a couple of days early in case you faced schedule complications later on,
• Packing an overnight bag for your car in case you got stranded somewhere,
• Ensure your sunscreen is always within reach over the next few months,
• Carry some water to prevent dehydration

If you're are AWARE, you might consider

• How you would exit a building if the elevator wasn't accessible,
• Where you might duck & cover if an earthquake struck,
• Watching for other threats or hazards when you're out and about

And finally, if you LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS.....the world will just be a better place.

You will be more resilient and our communities will be safer by considering these simple thoughts. Enjoy today and prepare for tomorrow.

Image courtesy of Paulo Otávio, licensed under Creative Commons.