With the holiday season in full swing, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and local emergency management agencies are offering tips to help people stay safe now and into the new year.  “December can be a fun but hectic time of year,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph.  “Throughout the month, we’ll be offering tips to help people stay safe, as well as provide ideas on gifts that can help friends and family stay safe during all types of emergencies.”  Joseph offered several ideas for preparedness gifts including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather alert radio with battery backup, a tone-alert feature and Specific Area Message Encoding technology Flashlight with extra batteries or a first aid kit with sterile bandages and gauze pads in assorted sizes; antiseptic; latex gloves; tweezers; scissors; soap and moistened towelettes; and thermometer, or even a home emergency preparedness kit stocked with a three-day supply of bottled water and non-perishable food; battery-powered radio, weather radio and flashlights with extra batteries; first aid kit; shut-off wrench to turn off household gas and water; manual can opener; and fire extinguisher, as well as a vehicle preparedness kit stocked with a flashlight with extra batteries; first aid kit; water and non-perishable snacks; blankets; windshield scraper and brush; booster cables; sack of sand or kitty litter; tool kit; and shovel.