Portsmouth, N.H. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) community education and outreach specialists will staff information kiosks at four home improvement centers in Middlesex County beginning Thursday, July 22 through Tuesday July 27.

Risk-reduction specialists will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

Home Depot                         
3 Mystic View Road              
Everett, MA  02149              

Home Depot  
75 Mystic Avenue
Somerville, MA 03143

Home Depot                          
100 First Avenue                 
Waltham, MA  02451           

Home Depot 
615 Watertown Street
Watertown, MA 02471

At each site, FEMA specialists will be able to provide store visitors with easily accessible all-hazards planning tools and tips including:

• In-depth guides and planning information for individual and household preparedness;
• Basic "how-to" measures to lessen risks to a home's electrical system, water heater or household appliances;
• Personalized explanations of FEMA readiness and recovery programs, including the National Flood Insurance Program; and
• A wide range of informative publications in multiple languages on protecting homes  from flood damage.

To date, more than 114,166 residents have been counseled at various home improvement locations and special events during the three-month outreach effort. Severe spring floods resulted in a presidential disaster declaration to help affected residents in Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.