Emergency Communications  

As you know, we are experiencing an unusual surge of winter weather in the Houston region. The UH Department of Public Safety urges you to be safe and exercise caution, particularly when driving. Plan for extra travel time and expect freezing and possible snowy driving conditions. Please be safe!

In addition, be aware that steps, sidewalks and inclines could be icy and slippery.  Please monitor the UH Emergency Web site for updates and additional information. 

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Make certain your tires are properly inflated
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
• Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

For more information about driving on ice or snow please go to:

http://www.aaapublicaffairs.com/Assets/Files/200711281238140.HowtoGoonIceandSnow.pdf 

  
Important Information: H1N1

The World Health Organization declared on June 11, 2009 that the new H1N1 virus has caused the first influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. The last pandemic was the Hong Kong flu in 1968. This current announcement by WHO has raised the pandemic alert from 5 to 6, the highest level possible. This rating indicates that a new strain of influenza to which most people are susceptible is spreading freely in at least two regions of the world. This increase in phasing doesn't mean anything concerning severity, it merely concerns geographic spread. Pandemic means global and has no connotation of severity or mildness.

Efforts to limit the spread of the flu around the world continue.  We at our university continue to follow the recommendations of the CDC regarding covering coughs and sneezes as well as practicing good hand washing protocol. The seasonal flu vaccine is slated to be available at summer's end. This vaccine will not protect from the H1N1 virus.  A vaccine is being prepared specifically for that strain which is not yet available. 

Information about preparing for a campus emergency is available in the Emergency Management Plan and the Business Continuity Planning sections.

Important Information

• 2008 Annual Security Report Available
• How to Update Your Student Emergency Contact Information
  Student Instructions
• How to Update Your Faculty/Staff Emergency Contact Information
  Faculty and Staff Instructions