A few weeks ago, I discovered early in the morning that the water to our house had accidentally been cut off. As a City Council member, I knew whom to call to get the problem fixed, but I realized most Burlingame residents don’t. Then I started wondering what residents should do in the event of a major catastrophe.

After talking with department heads and emergency services personnel in our city, I have compiled a list called “Emergency Contacts and Helpful Information for Burlingame Residents.” I urge you to take a moment right now to print it out and keep it in a safe place. It could come in very handy later!

You can access the list on my Web site at http://www.terrynagel.com/main.php?Page=461 or by going to the City of Burlingame’s Web site at www.burlingame.org and clicking on “Emergency and Non-Emergency Contacts.”

In addition to basic emergency information, the list includes recommended emergency supplies and links to three emergency preparedness Web sites. One helpful hint: You should keep three gallons of water on hand for each person in your family and, if the water has been stored for more than a year, you also should have unscented liquid chlorine bleach or 2% tincture of iodine to purify it.

You’ll find the everyday contacts in this document helpful, too. For example, it tells you how to report problems ranging from sewer backups to potholes and whom to call if you spot someone dumping a toxic substance down a storm drain. There’s also information about power outages, streetlights, trash pickups (including the two free excess picks you’re entitled to each year), recycling, composting, street sweeping and tree trimming.

Book Lovers: Mark Your Calendar!

The Burlingame Library Foundation’s next Book Sale is just around the corner. It will be held on Saturday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lane Community Room at the Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road. Hundreds of lightly used books will be available for sale at bargain basement prices. All proceeds support important library functions.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the book sale on Friday, November 12, or during the actual sale, call Jim Cannon at (650) 343-4377.

See you around Burlingame,