Press Release: 4th of July Holiday - Play It Safe

The 4th of July is a great time to celebrate our nation’s birthday with family and friends. It’s also a good time to remember some safety tips during this holiday weekend.

“We all enjoy celebrating the birth of our nation with family and friend,” says Major General Don Dunbar, Adjutant General and Wisconsin’s Homeland Security Advisor. “Cookouts and fireworks are part of the fun for many Americans. However, make sure you’re thinking about safety first when you’re enjoying the day.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the weeks surrounding the July 4th holiday. Officials say many of the fireworks accidents could have been prevented:

• Most injuries were burns to hands, fingers, head, legs and arms.
• One-third of the injuries were to children under the age of 15 years old.
• 74% of injured were male.
• Sparklers are the number one cause of burns around the July 4th holiday. 

Fire and safety officials recommend the following safety tips when lighting fireworks:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. Adults igniting the fireworks should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
• Only buy legal fireworks from reliable sellers.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. 
• Always have water ready in case of a fire (a garden hose or a bucket).
• Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from buildings, dry leaves and flammable materials.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals.
• Keep your pets indoors to reduce the risk that they will run loose and get injured. Many animals have very sensitive ears and can be stressed or frightened by fireworks.

Also remember to play it safe over the holiday:

• Drink plenty of water and limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. 
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked car. Even with the windows cracked open, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach over 100 degrees in minutes.
• Have an emergency kit in your vehicle. It should include a first-aid kit, bottled water and some energy bars. A car adaptor for your cell phone is also a good idea in case you need to call for help.
• Learn about the latest traffic and road conditions by contacting 511 Wisconsin.  This information, along with live traffic cameras and traffic alerts, can be accessed on the 511 Wisconsin system, which includes a free mobile app, @511WI on Twitter, or at www.511wi.gov. 
• When attending various parades, fireworks displays and other gatherings, if you see something suspicious, remember to contact law enforcement. If you “See Something, Say Something”.

For more information go to readywisconsin.wi.gov. For daily safety tips, follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/readywisconsin) , Twitter (www.twitter.com/readywisconsin) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/readywisconsin).

Press Release - Voter Registration Drive, June 28th

ROCK COUNTY, WISCONSIN

Office of the Rock County Clerk

The Rock County Clerk’s Office and 19 of the 29 municipal clerks that serve Rock County will be participating in the Voter Registration Drive on Tuesday, June 28th.  Your municipal clerks know that the 2016 Elections are forecasted to have record high voter turnout and want to do everything possible to make the Elections run as smoothly as possible for everyone. That is why clerks across the state are hosting Voter Registration Drives on Tuesday, June 28th. The greatest thing a new voter (or someone that needs to update their current registration) can do to help make Election Day a positive experience, is to register during the Open Registration Period, if able to do so.

What are the requirements to register or update a registration?

• 18 years old on or before the NEXT election. The next state-wide election is August 9, 2016, so anyone who is now 17 and has a birthday on or before August 9, 2016, can register now if they meet the rest of the requirements.
• You must be a U.S. Citizen, not currently serving a felony conviction (either jail time or probation), nor been declared incompetent or ineligible to vote by a judge.
• You must have resided in your home for at least 28 days prior to Election Day in order to establish a new voting location.
• You must supply your WI Driver’s License or WI State Id Number if ever issued.
• You must show Proof of Residency. The document must list your full name, your current address, and was issued recent enough to meet date requirements.  The most common item used is a utility bill less than 90 days old.  Paycheck, pay stub, bank statement (not a credit card), or your WI driver’s license with your current address can be used.

Voters can check their voter registration at MyVote.wi.gov.

Regardless if your municipality is participating in a Voter Registration Drive on June 28, 2016 by extending their hours or adding staff, ALL voters can register or update a registration any time during their clerk’s regular office hours, except for the day before an election.  Please check with your municipal clerk to learn more about how and when you can register or update your registration.

Your Rock County Clerk’s Office can also take voter registrations for any Rock County residents during the Open Registration Period.

For the Partisan Primary on August 9, 2016, the Open Registration Period ends on July 20, 2016.
For the General Election on November 8, 2016, the Open Registration Period is August 10, 2016 through October 19, 2016.


Participating Municipalities:

Town of Beloit
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  
Beloit Town Hall, 2871 S Afton Rd, Beloit, WI
Town of Bradford
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Beloit Town Hall, 3622 S Carvers Rock Rd., Avalon, WI

Town of Clinton
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Clinton Town Hall, 8674 E County Rd X, Clinton, WI

Town of Fulton
7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Fulton Town Hall, 2738 W Fulton Center Dr., Edgerton WI

Town of Harmony
8 a.m. – Noon & 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Harmony Town Hall, 440 N US Hwy 14, Janesville

Town of Janesville
9 a.m. – Noon
Janesville Town Hall, 1628 N Little Court, Janesville, WI

Town of Milton
8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Milton Town Hall, 23 First St., Milton WI

Town of Newark
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Newark Town Hall
9538 W Beloit Newark Rd, Beloit WI

Town of Plymouth
10 a.m. – Noon & 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Plymouth Town Hall, 8219 W High St, Orfordville, WI

Towns of Rock & Turtle
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  6916 S. County Rd J, Beloit, WI
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.    5102 County Rd D, Afton, WI

Village of Clinton
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Clinton Village Hall, 301 Cross St, Clinton WI

Village of Footville
7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Footville Village Hall, 261 N Gilbert St., Footville, WI

Village of Orfordville
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Orfordville Village Hall, 303 E Beloit St., Orfordville WI 53576

City of Beloit
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Beloit City Hall, 100 State St., Beloit WI

City of Brodhead
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Brodhead City Hall, 111 W 2nd Ave, Brodhead, WI

City of Edgerton
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Edgerton City Hall, 12 Albion St, Edgerton, WI

City of Evansville
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Evansville City Hall, 31 S Madison St, Evansville, WI

City of Janesville
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Janesville City Hall, 18 N Jackson St, Janesville WI

City of Milton
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  
Milton City Hall, 710 S. Janesville St, Milton, WI

Wisconsin Heat Awareness Day - June 9, 2016

(MADISON) – Heat can kill. Hundreds of people die from extreme heat events each year in the United States. That’s why Governor Scott Walker has declared Thursday, June 9th as Heat Awareness Day. Wisconsin Emergency Management, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the National Weather Service are reminding people of the dangers associated with extreme heat and to promote community safety and health.

“Heat related deaths and illness are preventable,” says Major General Don Dunbar, Adjutant General and Wisconsin’s Homeland Security Advisor. “People need to be aware of who is at greatest risk and what can be done to prevent the loss of life.”

Remember these tips:

• Stay Cool: Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible and avoid direct sunlight 
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink
• Stay Informed: Watch your local weather forecasts so you can plan activities safely when it’s hot outside. Watch for any extreme heat alerts. 

People at higher risk of a heat-related illness include:

• Infants and young children
• People 65 years of age and older
• People who are overweight
• People with chronic medical conditions

Where you are most at risk:

• Homes with little or no air conditioning
• Cars

Many victims of heat-related deaths are socially isolated, maintaining little contact with family and friends. This is why it is important to check in on family, friends, and neighbors during extreme heat. Those most vulnerable include very young children, the elderly, and people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Individuals who are on certain medications may also be more susceptible to illnesses during extreme heat events.

Many cities and counties across Wisconsin open cooling centers during periods of extreme heat. These centers are a great place for people to come into an air conditioned facility and get some relief from the heat. ReadyWisconsin will list open cooling centers on our website: http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.

Stay informed on impending heat dangers by following us on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/readywisconsin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/readywisconsin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/readywisconsin