My Healthy Home App

 The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) recently announced the release of My Healthy Home app.

The free mobile app teaches families how to identify hazards in the home that may make them sick. During a brief quiz, the app asks users to find signs of health threats like mold, pests, chipped paint or standing water.

The app helps families develop a custom roadmap to eliminate risks and offers helpful DIY tips for simple fixes. A family can also use the app to explore a broad range of the services and service providers that already exist in their communities.

Availability of the app was announced at a recent Baltimore event kicking off National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week hosted by GHHI and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The event was co-hosted by the Baltimore-based GHHI, the nation's largest organization focused on healthy housing, which now is operating in 25 cities.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene commended GHHI's app and what it can accomplish.

My Healthy Homes App is available for free nationwide. During the initial phase, the app will provide resources for residents of the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area. Resources in the other GHHI-targeted cities will be available in stages over the coming months.

For more information, visit www.ghhi.org.

Hurricane Joaquin - October Noreaster

The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting heavy rain during the first week of October for the State of Maryland.

Some areas in Maryland could receive 5 to 10 inches of total precipitation, which could produce flooding of rivers, streams, ponds, and low-lying areas, according to the agency.

The Hogan administration has asked State agencies, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), to make preparations for the incoming storms.

MEMA is recommending that residents take the following actions:

Clean storm drains and gutters on your house to prevent overflow and water buildup.

Don’t wait. Communicate. Know how to get in contact with your friends and family during any emergency.

Fuel up your automobile before any storm.

If you have a basement in your house, shelve household items and make sure any electronic equipment is not lying directly on the floor.

Check to see if you live or work in a flood prone area: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/floodProneZones.aspx

Listen to instructions from local officials and know the current forecast by following your local emergency management office, forecasters, and news stations.

In addition to rainfall associated with a noreaster, MEMA is also monitoring Hurricane Joaquin which could bring additional rain and wind.

source: Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

Commercial Fishing Boat Sinks off Assateague Island

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 the 67-foot fishing vessel Seafarer capsized, broke apart and sank off Assateague Island, according to reports.

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District reports that Wednesday, March 6, Patrick Small of New Bern, N.C. was rescued from a life raft following the capsizing of the Seafarer. Listed as missing were Steven and Walter Tate of New Bern, N.C.

Coast Guard 5th District watchstanders initially received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert from the 67-foot fishing vessel Seafarer at 10:39 a.m. Wednesday.

source: United States Coast Guard 5th District