Be Prepared Before the Storm Strikes
•    Have extra batteries and flashlights
•    Food and water
•    Have extra medication
•    First-aid supplies
•    Have extra blankets for additional warmth available
•    Be ready for winter storms by listening to the NOAA weather radio all hazards or watch your  local news  channel
•    When leaving home have cell phone fully charged and car charger in vehicle

During Winter Storm Emergencies…Post emergency telephone numbers by telephone and keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days.

Playing it Safe… Avoid over-exertion, such as shoveling heavy snow or walking in deep snow. The strain from the cold and hard labor may cause a heart attack.

The Best Defense… The best defense against severe winter weather is preparedness. Make sure that severe weather does not catch you off guard. Start preparing now for the dangerous ice and cold that will prevail in the next few months. Remember: Most deaths and injuries related to winter weather are caused by driving on slippery roads or over-exertion.

How to Dress for Winter…Winter has arrived. Dress for the season. Wear loose, light-weight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air is an insulator. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be water repellent and hooded. Always cover your head as you can loose half of your body heat through an uncovered head.

If Caught in a Winter Storm… Only leave your home in an emergency. If a blizzard traps you in a car, pull off the road, activate hazard lights, and hang a distress flag from the radio aerial or window. Remain in your vehicle. Rescuers are more likely to find you there. Adequate preparation and caution are important elements in survival during severe winter weather.

It’s that time of your again; this is to remind you of the safety procedures for use of Christmas trees and holiday decorations in University facilities. All natural trees and evergreen decorations must be sprayed with a fire retardant material. If you desire a live tree, EHS recommends purchasing it from the MU Forestry Club, which sprays the trees with a fire retardant and tags them at no additional cost. We have been told that sales will occur from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7th at the northeast corner of Memorial Stadium. It is our understanding that the Forestry Club can arrange for delivery to campus locations. Due to lack of demand in recent years, Landscape Services no longer provides services to spray live trees. However, if you purchase a live tree from another source, the Forestry Club will spray and tag your tree for a nominal fee during the period they offer trees for sale. Department trees and decorations may be put up no earlier than December 1, and must be removed from the site by the first working day following New Year’s Day (Jan. 2). Please remember that the danger of fire increases each day the tree is up. All trees and decorations in residence halls and family student housing should be disposed of before the Christmas vacation begins (Dec. 12) except for the units which will be occupied. If trees and/or boughs become dry before these dates they must be removed prior. Electrical cords for lights should not be run through or under a door, especially a metal door. Such practice can lead to electrocution or a fire.

SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR THE USE OF
CHRISTMAS TREES AND DECORATIONS IN UNIVERSITY
BUILDINGS, RESIDENCE HALLS, AND FAMILY STUDENT HOUSING UNITS

1. Be sure the tree and/or boughs are not dried out when you get them. Grasp a branch about 6” from the end and firmly slide it between your fingers to the tip. If the tree is fresh, no needles will come off. No red cedar trees or red cedar boughs are to be used under any circumstances due to their fast drying nature.

2. After purchasing a tree, keep it in water and outside the facility until the time you set it up (no earlier than December 1).

3. All natural trees and evergreen boughs set up in University facilities are to be sprayed with a fire retardant material (this does not apply to “U.L. Listed” artificial trees labeled as “Fire Resistant”).

4. When you are ready to set up the tree, saw approximately two inches off the bottom of the trunk to assist in absorption of water.

5. Be sure the tree is placed in a sturdy, broad-based stand which will hold water and be sure to keep water in the stand at all times. Check water level daily.

6. The tree must not be placed near a stairway, radiator, exit, hallway, or any other location where the tree, if standing or fallen, would block an escape route, signage or increase fire risk.
7. Electrical wiring should be inspected for frayed cords, loose connections, broken sockets, exposed wires and general safety prior to putting lighting on the tree. They must also be U.L. approved. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for number of lights on any one circuit. Do not use real candles or other open flames on Christmas trees or as decorations in general.

8. Never leave Christmas tree lights on unless someone is in the area where the tree is located or the tree is visible to someone at all times.

9. Electrical tree lights are not to be used on metallic trees due to the ever present danger of
electrocution.

10. Avoid use of electrical extension cords if possible and never use them for periods exceeding 30 days.

11. If you own or plan on purchasing an artificial holiday tree check to make sure it is marked “U.L. Listed” and labeled “Fire Resistant”.

12. There will be no designated drop-off/pickup location on campus property. The City of Columbia provides two mulch sites and suggests that Christmas trees be dropped off at one of them. These sites are at Capen Park (south of Stadium, off Rock Quarry Road, behind the Surplus Property Building) and Parkside mulch site (north of Memorial Park Cemetery, off Creasy Springs Road). All ornaments, icicles, tinsel, stands, bags, etc., must be removed from the trees. The trees are ground and used as wildlife cover, mulch, fish habitat, and soil conservation.

13. Do not put trees in dumpsters or outside on the curb, in the yard, or other locations.

If you have any questions concerning this information, please call Environmental Health & Safety, 882-7018.

MAY YOU HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!
ELLIS LIBRARY SECURITY

1. When winterizing your car avoid gas line freeze ups by keeping your tank filled greater than half full. Make sure your car has adequate antifreeze and your tires have good traction by being inflated to the proper tire pressure. Putting several sand bags in the trunk is also helpful. Make sure you heater and defroster work properly, that your battery is not more than 3 years old and can carry a full charge. A good ice scraper is a necessity as well as having a de-ice solution added to your windshield washer fluid.

2. When traveling bring along blankets and non-perishable foods such as candy bars, canned goods or high calorie power bars.

3. Before traveling check latest forecast, road conditions, and let someone know where you are going and when you will reach your destination.

Ellis Library Security Office

We need your help with enforcing our food & beverage policy. As you all know the library itself and its contents can be easily damaged (books, computers, carpets, furniture etc.). So if you see a student not following the policy, just give them a quick reminder if you will. Here is a refresher on the library’s food & beverage policy for students. “No” food above the ground level and only approved beverage containers (examples: screw tops bottles plastic and glass, travel coffee mugs and water bottles) on floors 1 through 4. You can refer them to the displays at both entrances and by the second floor twin elevators on what beverage containers are approved and unapproved.

Thank you all for your support,
Ellis Library Security

Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day, the only day dedicated to nationally recognize and encourage both recycling and buying secondhand products. Established in 1997, the effort now has millions of Americans, including Mizzou students, faculty and staff, pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and at work. On any given day, Mizzou recycles about 5 tons and discards an additional 4 tons of recyclables. Get in and maintain the reduce-reuse-recycle mentality and activity. Help reduce MU’s waste-impact on our environment. To learn more, see www.cf.missouri.edu/ls/recycle. Every little bit helps. Thanks for doing your part. Ellis Library is going green, so staff notice where you can locate the nearest recycle bins by your department.

There has been some confusion about daylight savings time this year. There are some calendars that state daylight savings time is October 26th at 2:00a.m. This is not true. This year we fall back one hour on November 2nd at 2:00 a.m. In my investigation to find out the true day and time, I found a Web site that states clock changes throughout the world. This web site will take you right to the St Louis, Missouri fall time change.

Ellis Library Security

As you know the Library can get warm throughout the day. We can’t open any window in the library because it might harm the books. Also let’s save on electricity and not use fans for cool down. So when dressing for the fall cold weather, remember to wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight clothes. This is the best protection and comfort from the cold outside and the heat inside the Library.

Ellis Library Security

MUPD and Ellis Library will be holding a FREE laptop registration and engraving session in the Colonnade of Ellis Library on September 9th from 10 AM to 2 PM and on September 11th from 1 PM to 4 PM. All students, staff and faculty are welcome to attend!