Each month, municipal officials have the opportunity to recognize national observances that will help them share the value of cities and towns with the community. Through each suggested national observance, municipal leaders can localize the observance and form partnerships with the local business community, the media, local nonprofit organizations and policy makers.
National Safety Month – Ensuring a positive quality of life for all residents of cities and towns means making communities safe and secure. June is National Safety Month and an opportunity to show that city government is taking all measures to keep the safety and security of its residents as top priority. Send a press release to your local paper about your safety initiatives and hold an information meeting with your municipal law enforcement partners to help residents avoid break-ins and stay safe in the summer months. For more information, visit
www.nsc.org/NSM.
Fireworks Safety Month – Prevent Blindness America recognizes June as Fireworks Safety Month to educate everyone on the dangers of fireworks and their effects on healthy eyesight. Have your fire personnel educate your residents on ways to prevent serious injury from fireworks and celebrate safely. For more information, visit
www.fireworksafety.com or
www.nfpa.org.
Hurricane Season Begins – June 1 marks the beginning of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season and that means getting prepared for what disaster could happen in the coming months. After the devastating effects of several major hurricanes in the nation’s history, cities and towns from the Upstate to the Lowcountry need to be prepared. Let your local media and residents know what you are doing as municipal leaders to keep the town up and running in the event of a hurricane. For more information on being prepared for hurricane season, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at
www.scemd.org.