(Mesfin Mekonen and Bart S. Fisher) - Has a Nobel Peace Prize ever been given to a less deserving candidate than Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who received the award in 2019?  While there has been some attention in the media to Abiy’s deadly war in the northern region of Tigray in Ethiopia, little notice has been made regarding his ongoing repression of the Amhara people.  Under the leadership of Abiy the government has attacked churches, suppressed independent media serving the Amhara people, committed extrajudicial killings, and encouraged ethnic cleansing.  At least two million Amhara people have been killed or “disappeared” as a result of the massacres, including drone strikes, that have been undertaken against the Amhara.

The United States and the global community need to support fundamental human rights for the Amhara, the rule of law, and democracy.  The failure of the Biden administration to condemn crimes being committed on a daily basis by the autocratic regime of Abiy Ahmed encourages its continuing war on the Amhara people, creating needless suffering and the risk of violence that could destabilize the Horn of Africa.

The world should listen to Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the United Nations Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, who warned the global community on October 10, 2023, of the ongoing risk of “genocide and related atrocity crimes” in Ethiopia.  The Lemkin Institute has alerted the world to “evidence of an ongoing process of genocide in the country against Amhara citizens.”  

We suggest that the U.S. government undertake a three-part strategy focused on cessation of hostilities, sanctions, and constitutional reform. 

First, the United States can and must play a significant role in promoting a settlement of this ever-escalating war against the Amhara by the government of Ethiopia.  At a minimum, the United States can promote collective efforts of local, regional, and global actors to bring about an immediate cessation of hostilities and attacks by the government of Ethiopia against its own people.  Lasting peace in Ethiopia requires an urgent and inclusive dialogue and reconciliation. 

Second, the White House and State Department should condemn the abuses the Abiy government is undertaking and condoning, and take steps to ameliorate the situation.  These steps include the imposition of targeted sanctions on the government officials who are responsible for abuses or who fail to protect the lives of innocent civilians. 

Third, the U.S. government should promote the drafting of a new constitution, an essential precondition to lasting peace and prosperity.  Article 39 of the 1994 constitution of Ethiopia grants rights for any ethnic group to secede and form a nation.  Thus, groups such as the Tigrayans and the Amhara currently have the constitutional right to secede, which of course sparks protracted civil war.  The ability of the central government to govern is undermined when every ethnic group has the right to secede.  The present constitution has exacerbated ethnic tensions.  If not revised, it will lead to the destruction of Ethiopia. 

Failure to act imperils the safety of millions of Amhara people and increases the risk of instability in the Horn of Africa, a region of great strategic importance to the United States. 

Mesfin Mekonen is Chairman of the Coalition of Ethiopian-American Civic Organizations 

Bart S. Fisher is Counsel for the Coalition of Ethiopian-American Civic Organizations

(NewsUSA) - Marine Toys for Tots had another record-breaking year in 2023 thanks to the generous support of the American public, National Corporate Partners, volunteers, and our dedicated local Coordinators. Your generosity makes a lasting impact on children in need. During 2023, Toys for Tots distributed nearly 25 million toys, books, games, and other gifts to over 10 million economically disadvantaged children. 

“You helped us deliver hope and comfort to children in need throughout the year, and for that, we are extremely humbled and proud. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you,” says LtGen James B. Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. 

“Now, with a new year comes new resolve to be an even stronger force for good, because children growing up in poverty deserve nothing less,” he adds.  

The Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, which is the U.S. Marine Corps’ premiere Community Action Program, provides security and hope to children and families in need at Christmastime and beyond.  

Toys for Tots is committed to providing emotional relief and support to disadvantaged children throughout the year with our Toys for Tots Literacy Program, Foster Care Initiative, Disaster Relief activities, and our Toys for Tots Native American Program. Today’s children are tomorrow’s future, and Marine Toys for Tots is dedicated to making it as bright as possible for children living in challenging circumstances, no matter the time of year.  

In 2023, with your help, Marine Toys for Tots achieved tremendous milestones by:   

• Delivering hope and comfort to over 10 million impoverished children. 

• Expanding our Foster Care Initiative by providing support to over 332,000 children living in Foster Care across the Nation.  

• Providing 100 truckloads of emotional relief gifts to nonprofit partner, Good360, to distribute to nonprofits across the Nation during the Spring and Summer months. 

•Assisting families affected by natural disasters in communities in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Maui. 

•Supporting over 220,000 Native American children through our Toys for Tots Native American Program.  

• Distributing 3.2 million books to disadvantaged children through our Toys for Tots Literacy Program to include 1 million books to Title I funded schools, and books valued at $1.1 million to the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF).   

The assistance given was astronomical, and we are grateful to the American public, our National Corporate Partners, and our local Coordinators that enabled us to reach incredible milestones in the Program’s 76th year. 

Join us in 2024 as we strive to be an even stronger year-round force for good by providing hope for a brighter tomorrow to children in need. Visit toysfortots.org to learn more about Marine Toys for Tots and to donate to any of our Programs.

(NewsUSA) - The future of the intelligence community will hinge on how well intelligence services can adopt and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make the most of the constant flow of data from all parts of the world, according to experts at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), a bipartisan nonprofit organization.

The U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) should take immediate action to leverage emerging generative AI (GenAI) capabilities to protect the nation and maintain our competitive advantage over global rivals, according to a new report from SCSP. The IC has been at the cutting edge of adopting emerging technology for decades, but GenAI will have an exceptionally broad impact, and will further complicate the already complex world of intelligence.

“Intelligence services will eventually need to plan and account for AI-enabled machines acting as semi-independent actors, directing operations and making decisions, both for our adversaries and allies,” according to the SCSP report.

Large Language Models (LLMs), the multi-modal models that can generate images, video, and sound, and other forms of GenAI will become more numerous, faster, more accurate, and more capable, according to the report. IC agencies will need to adapt their approaches to all aspects of the intelligence cycle, from planning and collection to analysis and dissemination.

The rapid expansion of AI provides the IC with an opportunity to make the changes needed to succeed in the digital era; the SCSP offers four actions for the U.S. intelligence community to consider.

Start using AI tools now. Training the IC workforce will help the IC create the infrastructure and policies needed to manage AI.

Be an agile adopter. ICs should partner with a foundation model provide to acquire their large language model, rather thran creating one from scratch.

Take on privacy concerns. The IC should tackle privacy issues head-on, giving IC agencies the authorization they need to secure and use personal data if necessary.

Collaborate when possible. The nature of intelligence is for different agencies to safeguard their own unique datasets and capabilities. However, the IC will need to strike a balance and promote coordinated approaches to innovation. Collaboration will not only yield economies of scale, but will avoid the proliferation of smaller LLMs that will pale in comparison to those of global rivals, such as the People’s Republic of China.

The SCSP also advises the U.S. intelligence community to create a committee on AI deployment and use to advise the DNI on the creation of IC datasets and AI algorithms to ensure access and responsibility.

For more information, visit scsp.ai.

(NewsUSA) -

Survival at Stake by Poorva Joshipura

With science recognizing animal consciousness, intelligence, emotion and morality, we must be aware of our own moral responsibilities toward other beings. But there's another reason to consider animals' well-being -- because it is intertwined with our own.

Leading animal rights activist Poorva Joshipura argues that, evolutionarily, humans are more like other animals than we care to believe. She examines how hunting wildlife leads to pandemics and epidemics, which, in turn, harm us; how the production of meat destroys forests and causes climate change, which, in turn, destroys us; how blood sports hurt both humans and animals; how leather production damages the environment and human health; how animal experimentation is often a threat to public health; how cruelty to animals leads to violent crimes; and so on. It’s time to take the necessary steps towards the betterment of all the planet's inhabitants. Purchase at peta.org/survival.

The Idea People by Mike Lubow

It is 1987: the "greed is good" era. When anxious ad agency whiz Ben Franklin Green accidentally falls through a wall during a boardroom presentation, he hops a plane and flies west instead of returning to work. During a nostalgic sojourn in the eucalyptus and marijuana-scented playland of LA’s sexy Laurel Canyon, he plans to develop a book with his former mentor about the sham that is the advertising business.

But his plans are short-lived when his mentor's outdoorsy daughter is kidnapped while working in the Rocky Mountain wilds. Ben, with the creativity of a Madison Avenue idea man, becomes an unlikely detective as he is drawn into the case.

Ben's interest in nature, loyalty to his friends, and an uncanny ability to see what others miss allow him to become a rare bird who finds a new life in the Wild West. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3S6d6fl

Moons by R.E. Mason

This is a tale of two worlds at cross-purposes, orbiting around a once-habitable planet. Two men, strangers to each other, are commissioned to find and bring their chosen heir back to claim her right to ascendency in time to stop a despot from taking control of both Moons.

 Moons, an action-packed sci-fi adventure novel, is written by a happily retired, blind octogenarian living in the Bay Area in Northern California. As a lad, he was curious for what he might find on the other side of the hill, and throughout his life, he sought to find it. He felt he belonged somewhere else, and that someday they would come for him. He created that world, that adventure, those people and friends, where he can go from time to time. This first excursion, Moons, takes him to that other world. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3TrYEAE.

The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over by Naseem Rochette

Breaking doesn’t mean you’re broken.

In a pedestrian crosswalk on a quiet street, Naseem is hit and then run over three times. She hears her fate in her husband’s screams. Is he watching the mother of his children die?

Miraculously, she survives, yet she is no longer the person she was. Her “cracks”—the changes to her body and mind—initially feel impossible to accept. In learning to embrace this new, unrecognizable self, Naseem decides to celebrate the day she almost lost her life as the day she discovered her true strength—her Unbreakable Day.

In this unique memoir, equal parts heart wrenching and inspiring, Naseem lays bare the reality of personal trauma—and how we each have the power to reimagine our lives and find beauty in being both broken and unbreakable. Named Book of the Year in the Best Indie Book Award. Purchase at https://amzn.to/49nCzZh.

(NewsUSA) - What do parents really think about school choice in 2024? A new survey by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation sheds light on what they're thinking, and looking for, as National School Choice Week spurs families to start the process of choosing new schools for the fall. Two truths, and one oft-repeated myth, offer insights into how they'll shape the landscape of education with the choices they make.

Here's truth number one. Parents are more interested in changing their children's schools than they were during the pandemic. 72% considered new schools for their children last year compared to 52% in 2022. If you're not the parent of a school age child, you'd be forgiven for assuming parents crave stability after the upheaval of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, but the data says something different. The high water mark of interest in choosing a new school during the pandemic came in the fall of 2020, when 63% of parents were considering it. Yet this month, January 2024, 72% said they have considered choosing a new school for their child in the last year.

Truth number two is this: America’s parents know that school choice is expanding––and they are talking about it. More than half of parents say their state now offers more education options, and the majority also say they've talked about school enrollment decisions with friends and families in the last month. More options, and more open conversation about these choices, is what we can expect in this "new normal"

Here's the myth: school choice is a partisan issue. The truth of the matter is that school choice decisions are personal, not political. If you're only listening to the pundits, it may surprise you to hear that parents who identify as Democrats are searching for new schools at a higher rate than those who identify as Republicans. On the other hand, parents identifying as Republicans are interested in choosing public schools for their kids at the same levels as parents who identify as Democrats.

Clearly, school choice is the new normal for American families. Thankfully, 27,000 schools, homeschool groups, and community leaders are stepping up to take part in National School Choice Week, ensuring that parents see the options in their community firsthand. Millions of parents are doing their part to proactively explore the changing educational landscape for their children. Working together, educators and parents are poised to ensure that this new normal puts kids first.

Shelby Doyle, based in Nashville, TN, is the vice president of public awareness at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts National School Choice Week each January and maintains the nation’s largest online portfolio of English- and Spanish-language school navigation resources.

(Charlotte, N.C. (January 22, 2024)) - In celebration of an extraordinary 40 years in the industry, Abra, a distinguished leader in collision repair, embarks on a new chapter with the launch of its Another Mile, Another Milestone campaign. This significant achievement marks not just the passage of time, but the enduring commitment to providing impeccable collision repair services, ensuring vehicles are restored Right the First Time, On Time.

As Abra sets its sights on the next 40+ years, the new campaign goes beyond the mechanical aspect of vehicles. Abra recognizes that cars are witnesses to life's defining moments – from the excitement of the first car to the dependability of the last. Abra's dedication extends beyond repairing dents and scratches; it's about preserving life's memories on wheels. Each story and every memory fuels Abra's passion for excellence.

To kick off the campaign, Abra invites customers to participate in a special giveaway running through Wednesday, January 31, 2024. By visiting www.AbraOnTime.com, customers have the chance to win one of five Apple^® Watches. To enter, participants must share a significant milestone from their life, whether achieved or anticipated in 2024, along with their first and last name, email, and address. Entries will be accepted until Wednesday, January 31, 11:59 p.m. EST.

“40 years in business is an incredible milestone. Our Abra owners are dedicated to helping their customers quickly and safely return to the road following an accident with its longstanding commitment to repairing a vehicle right the first time and on time,” said Wayne Kelly, VP of operations and development, Abra. “This campaign showcases Abra’s continued commitment to those who have supported us for the past 40 years, through giving back to our customers and our communities.”

Each entry will be matched with a $1 contribution from Abra to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Financial matching will max out 5,000 entries or $5,000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. If the maximum numbers of entries are not reached, Abra will still fulfill the $5,000 donation. 

The Another Mile, Another Milestone campaign will incorporate radio, print, social media and digital advertising. The advertising campaign and contest elements are available on the Abra social media channels. 

For more information on Abra visit AbraAuto.com. 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to legal residents who are of age of majority in the United States. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 1/15/24 and ends 1/31/24. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, click here. Sponsor: Driven Brands Inc. d/b/a Abra Auto Body Repair of America, 440 S Church St #700, Charlotte, NC 28202.

(NewsUSA) - Another year has come and gone and with it many Americans are once again working to stick to their New Year’s resolutions. Whether it's mastering a new skill, maintaining a new exercise routine, or learning a new subject, increasingly they are turning to online resources to help them in their pursuit. But, despite all the tools at their disposal, only 9-12% of Americans ended up keeping last year’s resolutions due to a combination of setting unrealistic goals, the inability to track them, and perhaps most of all, the lack of convenience.

Convenient access to the tools you need to be successful is critical when starting a new routine. Yet, as of 2020, the over 46 million Americans residing in rural areas of the United States lack local access to resources like gyms, libraries, or recreation centers.

Fortunately, new online resources are being made available every day that enable families in even the most remote parts of the country to achieve their goals from the comfort of their homes. In rural America, where 15% of the population resides, cable or fiber internet is often not available. There, satellite internet plays a crucial role in providing access to online tools for these residents, offering fast, reliable, and widespread coverage.

Hughes®, a pioneer in satellite internet technology, recently introduced new Hughesnet^® service plans that are transforming connectivity and accessibility in rural America. Leveraging the capabilities of JUPITER^™ 3, the most advanced commercial communications satellite ever built, Hughes is offering customers enhanced choices for connecting, streaming and engaging in online activities in the upcoming year. With unlimited data, faster speeds, and a new low-latency Hughesnet Fusion^® plan, the new Hughesnet is enhancing the internet experience for rural America.

Reliable connectivity empowers individuals to utilize various resources in pursuit of their goals. For instance, those aspiring to develop culinary skills can conveniently attend cooking classes from the comfort of their own kitchen via platforms like YouTube. Similarly, individuals interested in learning a musical instrument can opt for a Masterclass instead of commuting to a traditional music school. For those focused on weight loss and fitness, tools such as Noom offer assistance in monitoring daily calorie intake and healthier food choices.

Maintaining steadfast New Year’s resolutions becomes significantly more manageable with a robust and dependable internet connection. Rural families can count on satellite internet to deliver the necessary tools and activities directly to them, facilitating better tracking and adherence to their resolutions.

(NewsUSA) - Chivalry by Patrick Girondi

From the eccentric and riveting author/singer/CEO Patrick Girondi, an aspiring author stumbles onto a manuscript that became a bestseller. He must find the true author, a peculiar war vet from Iraq who lives as a homeless person. 
 
Isa, a Gulf War sergeant, silenced a snitch to save his platoon from a murder rap. He now lives namelessly on the streets of New York, shielded by police, formerly of his old platoon. For now, in limbo, Isa writes books. He spots his daughter, who has no idea who he is, on the bus. Full of emotion, he accidentally forgets a manuscript. 
 
Bob Herman finds a woman who plagues his dreams and a manuscript he can’t put down. Herman wins Isa’s daughter. To keep her, he needs another bestseller and sets off to find the true author. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4417hV5.

Abandoned by MHR Geer

It should have been enough. In this newest Anne Wilson thriller following the author’s debut “Assumed,” our protagonist had the perfect boyfriend and the perfect Caribbean villa. It should have been her happily-ever-after. But her past overshadows her sunny life. On an impulse, she ditches all of it and flies to Guadeloupe. A new island. A fresh start.

 But starting over is impossible with so many loose ends.

 Only twenty-four hours after Anne arrives in Guadeloupe, Sandy's friend hands her a backpack full of cash, and Anne is plunged back into Sandy's world. When someone breaks into her motel room, Anne goes on the run. Someone knows about the money. Someone wants her off the island. She has to decide: Keep running or risk everything to protect her perfect life? “My characters end up with my flaws, and I get to work through solutions. It's like beta-testing better versions of myself,” the author says. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3tMADcp.

Happiness & Heroism by Y.P.R.

Do you wake up every day with a sense of purpose, inner peace, and knowledge that you are living your very best life? Your emotional state and the actions you choose to take each day are at the very basis of your success as a human being. The ideal state of emotional fulfillment is what author Y.P.R. refers to as Happiness. The ideal form of noble day-to-day action is what he calls Heroism.

Happiness & Heroism: The School of Being, The School of Doing is a two-book series consisting of two letters from a father to his children that impart lessons on loving life and walking a noble path. The first book teaches the philosophy of the fundamental goodness of existence; mindfulness of true reality; humanity’s innate tendencies to feel stress, fear, anger, boredom, and depression—and the antidote. Purchase at https://www.happinessandheroism.com.

Hop Skip Jump! by Mary Giammona MD

It’s a busy grandmother-and-granddaughter day! What shall they do together? Grandma explains how to go hopping, skipping, and jumping for fun and exercise. At the end of an active day, they enjoy a family picnic together.

Mary Giammona, MD, is a Pediatrician, mom, and grandma who loves all children! She finds joy in her two young grandchildren, as well as her daughter, two growngranddaughters, and all her patients. She lives in Southern California with her husband and loves her multicultural family and the diverse nature of the area.

Her mind is full of stories, and Hop Skip Jump! is her debut picture book in the “Having Fun with Grandma” series, with additional titles forthcoming. Children are our future, and Dr. Giammona supports doing everything we can to make children feel valued. Purchase at https://bit.ly/47f3FQl.

(NewsUSA) - Chivalry by Patrick Girondi

From the eccentric and riveting author/singer/CEO Patrick Girondi, an aspiring author stumbles onto a manuscript that became a bestseller. He must find the true author, a peculiar war vet from Iraq who lives as a homeless person. 
 
Isa, a Gulf War sergeant, silenced a snitch to save his platoon from a murder rap. He now lives namelessly on the streets of New York, shielded by police, formerly of his old platoon. For now, in limbo, Isa writes books. He spots his daughter, who has no idea who he is, on the bus. Full of emotion, he accidentally forgets a manuscript. 
 
Bob Herman finds a woman who plagues his dreams and a manuscript he can’t put down. Herman wins Isa’s daughter. To keep her, he needs another bestseller and sets off to find the true author. Purchase at https://bit.ly/4417hV5.

Abandoned by MHR Geer

It should have been enough. In this newest Anne Wilson thriller following the author’s debut “Assumed,” our protagonist had the perfect boyfriend and the perfect Caribbean villa. It should have been her happily-ever-after. But her past overshadows her sunny life. On an impulse, she ditches all of it and flies to Guadeloupe. A new island. A fresh start.

 But starting over is impossible with so many loose ends.

 Only twenty-four hours after Anne arrives in Guadeloupe, Sandy's friend hands her a backpack full of cash, and Anne is plunged back into Sandy's world. When someone breaks into her motel room, Anne goes on the run. Someone knows about the money. Someone wants her off the island. She has to decide: Keep running or risk everything to protect her perfect life? “My characters end up with my flaws, and I get to work through solutions. It's like beta-testing better versions of myself,” the author says. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3tMADcp.

The Dark Side of Agile Coaching: Unmasking the Codependent Coach by Angela Doyle

In the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology, agile practices have emerged as a beacon of adaptability and responsiveness. At the heart of this transformative movement stand agile coaches, who guide teams and organizations toward the holy grail of agility. Yet, amidst the noble pursuit of agility, shadowy figures lurk beneath the surface -- codependent coaches who inadvertently hinder a team’s growth. 

Readers embark on a journey of discovery, shedding light on this troubling aspect of agile coaching.  When practiced with mindfulness and discovery, agile coaching has the power to unlock the full potential of teams and organizations. This book identifies the problem and offers solutions, a roadmap to cultivating healthy coaching relationships. Eight essential values behind these relationships serve as a compass for agile coaches to align their work with agile’s core principles. Purchase at www.inoatar.com/agilecoachingbook.

Hop Skip Jump! by Mary Giammona MD

It’s a busy grandmother-and-granddaughter day! What shall they do together? Grandma explains how to go hopping, skipping, and jumping for fun and exercise. At the end of an active day, they enjoy a family picnic together.

Mary Giammona, MD, is a Pediatrician, mom, and grandma who loves all children! She finds joy in her two young grandchildren, as well as her daughter, two grown granddaughters, and all her patients. She lives in Southern California with her husband and loves her multicultural family and the diverse nature of the area.

Her mind is full of stories, and Hop Skip Jump! is her debut picture book in the “Having Fun with Grandma” series, with additional titles forthcoming. Children are our future, and Dr. Giammona supports doing everything we can to make children feel valued. Purchase at https://bit.ly/47f3FQl.

(NewsUSA) - For homeowners across the United States, cold weather can cause heightened concern each winter. Severe weather events themselves threaten safety and comfort, but they are made even more dangerous when ensuing power outages cut off access to much-needed heat and electricity.

With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting a wetter winter due to El Nino*, a large area of the US is expected to see above-average precipitation, which could fall in the form of rain, snow or an icy mix of both. These weather events can contribute to power outages during the winter, with the potential to leave people without power for hours or days amidst the cold. High demand for energy in the winter can also put added strain on the electrical grid, threatening the grid’s stability and reliability. Winter outages can often occur at unexpected times, making it essential to be ready ahead of time. According to the recent FEMA 2023 National Preparedness Report, only slightly more than half (51%) of Americans believe they are prepared for a disaster.**

“In the last 10 years of tracking outage data, we've seen almost 20% more households impacted by power outages during the winter months when an El Nino event is active," said Kyle Raabe, president of Consumer Power for Generac. “Managing your household’s plan ahead of time and securing a source of backup power can give homeowners one less worry during times of heightened concern and extreme cold weather events.”

Taking Control Before, During and After Winter Power Outages

If an outage seems imminent…

• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting to help preserve perishable foods during an outage.
• Keep cell phones, laptops and tablets charged. This ensures you have a way to track updates on the weather and have a method of communication if you or a loved one needs help.
• Fill gas cans to run a portable generator. Along with routine maintenance, this will enable your generator to keep the power on during an outage.
• Make sure you know how to shut off water valves in your home if a pipe bursts and consider whether you should allow faucets to drip or trickle during cold weather to prevent freezing.

When an outage occurs…

• Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed so they maintain an adequate temperature inside.
• Monitor updates with a radio, television, or online resources like Power Outage Central. Have a battery-powered emergency radio in case you lose access to other methods of communication.
• If using a portable generator for backup power, follow a plan for safely starting your generator. Never use a generator inside the home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.
• Evacuate or go to a neighbor’s home if yours is damaged or an emergency official gives the order.

Once power is restored…

• If there is severe damage to the home or you suspect a gas leak, leave immediately and contact local officials.
• Make a list of any missing or damaged property. Take photos of the home, yard and street and report any losses to insurance.
• Check in with loved ones via text messages or social media. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster.

More information and seasonal preparedness tips on home backup power solutions and protecting homes and families from cold weather power outages can be found at https://www.generac.com/be-prepared/cold-weather-guide.