Step1
Why should I prepare?
In a major disaster, emergency workers will not be able to reach everyone right away; in most cases it will take 3 or more days for help to arrive.
Stop and think right now; what would you do if tomorrow morning you had no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service?
Having a plan for your family and their needs in place NOW, is the only way to help ensure their safety and comfort during those difficult times to come.
A natural or manmade disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or it can confine you to your home. Families can and do cope with disasters by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility. Therefore, I urge you to read on and develop a Family Disaster Plan. Remember, the best way to make your family and home safer is to be prepared before a disaster happens.
Understand What Could Happen Where You Live:
Most parts of the country can experience hurricanes, winter storms, thunderstorms, toxic spills, earthquakes, tornadoes, terrorism, flooding and fires. Look around where you live.
Do you live near a highway where a hazardous material spill could occur?
Are you in a flood-prone area? Ask yourself what emergencies or disasters could occur in your area and prepare for them.
Step2
Learn About your Community Disaster Plans:
Learn how the facilities will handle an emergency where you or your family spend most of their time, such as your workplace, your children’s school, daycare center or sports center.
Know Your Community Warning Sirens:
Know what they sound like and what to do when you hear them. Keep a battery-powered radio and extra batteries handy so you can get important information in an emergency, even if the power is out.
You should learn about the Emergency Departments in your community and their services.
How will they respond before, during, and after a disaster, listen closely to the information they provide. They will supply you with details regarding the disaster; including shelters openings/closings, whether to remain in your home or evacuate and other instructions to follow to ensure your safety.
If ordered to evacuate always try to use Evacuation Routes that have been pre-selected by your local authorities. Using shortcuts may cause evacuation delays due to impassable or closed roads.
Step3
When a Disaster does strike:
There are questions that will need to be answered, such as where could you and your family be when disaster strikes? How will you find each other and will you know if your children are safe?
This is why a family disaster plan is so necessary.
Step4
Create your family disaster plan:
Contact school officials to learn how they will notify you of your child’s status if an emergency occurs.
Decide now where you and your family will meet because of an emergency.
Pick two places to meet: one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire; and another outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Keep a record of the location’s address and phone number.
Post emergency telephone numbers by all phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.). Teach your children how and when to call 911. Everyone, including small children, should know their home address and phone number.
Ask an out-of-state friend or family member to be the “family contact” for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Make sure each family member knows the “family contact” phone number.
If you are a pet owner, than plan should include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.
In the event of a disaster and you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them too.
Remember however, that most disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of the state’s health and safety regulations. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your pet in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead.
Some suggestions concerning your pets:
· Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets. Ask if “no pet” policies could be waived in an emergency. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.
· Ask friends, relatives, or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your pet.
· Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter pets in an emergency and include 24-hour phone numbers.
· Pets should also have their own emergency supplies, including a carrier or leash, food and bowls, cat litter and litter box, medications, identification, contact information, veterinary shot records, beds and toys.
Step5
All family members should know how to:
· Turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches in your home;
· Use a fire extinguisher. Keep it where it can be accessed easily and quickly. Have one on each level of your home, if possible. Be sure everyone knows how to use it, what types of fire it puts out and where it is kept.
· Know where the emergency supplies and First Aid kits are located in your home and vehicles and know what supplies they contain.
· Know at least two escape routes from each room in your home.
Practice and maintain your plan:
Ask questions frequently to make sure all of your family remembers the designated meeting places, phone numbers and safety rules in your Family Disaster Plan.
Make sure you store your Disaster Emergency kit where you can get to it easily and quickly – you might have only minutes to act.
Step6
If you must remain in your home:
If local emergency officials tell you to “shelter-in-place” or stay where you are, you must remain in your home or office and protect yourself there.
Get your emergency supplies kit, and make sure the battery-powered radio is working and listen for information about what you should do.
When a disaster strikes, you might not be able to buy essential items. If businesses close, fallen trees block roads and power goes out in your area, you will need an emergency supplies kit.
You need to prepare NOW for this eventuality.
Plan on enough supplies on hand to last at least three days for each member of your household:
· Three gallons of water per person, or water purification products that can ensure safe drinking water for your family.
· Food items that do not spoil quickly, such as canned goods. Also consider emergency food products that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and have a 5-year shelf life. There are also complete meals that heat themselves.
· Emergency items such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
· A complete First aid kit.
· Any family members’ allergy medication, contact lenses or an extra pair of glasses
· A week’s supply of prescription medications
· Sanitation supplies, including toilet paper, soap, plastic garbage bags and personal hygiene supplies
· A change of clothing, footwear and blanket or sleeping bag
· Extra set of car keys
Step7
Remember to:
· Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months if it is not the 5-year extended shelf life type of Emergency Food and Water
· Test and recharge your fire extinguishers according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
· Check all Smoke alarms and batteries monthly. Batteries should be changed at least once a year.
I hope that by reading this informational article, it has motivated you to prepare your home and family for any emergency situation that arises. One day you will be very glad that you did.
Allan Wright
First Aid Kit Products
http://www.firstaidkitproducts.com
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