Create a Disaster Plan

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornado's...oh, MY!

Thankfully Hurricane Irene was not as nasty as she had been predicted she would be but plenty of people are still dealing with the aftermath of her fury.  Praying that the waters quickly recede and electricity and normalcy is restored.

Many disasters often strike without warning so being prepared is vital if you need to evacuate your home.  What if you had to go without water, gas, electricity for days on end?   

Take these simple steps, review and update them every 6 months to lessen the fear and anxiety in the event of an emergency.

MAKE A PLAN

• The Red Cross has great information on preparing for the types of weather emergencies your community is most likely to experience.
• Learn what the warning signals are (sirens, etc) and what to do when you hear them.

·         Learn the safe places in your home (for example, where to go when there is a tornado warning)

• Does your family have special needs (handicapped individual, medically fragile, etc.)?  If so, contact your utility companies, the Police and Emergency management in your community so they are aware of your situation. 
• Know the disaster plans of your children's daycare and schools.  If an emergency occurs this can limit your anxiety and save you precious time.
• Pick 2 places to meet in an emergency

• One near but away from your home in the event of a fire or tornado.  All family members should be instructed to meet there if you have to evacuate your home in the event of a fire or the destruction of the facility after a tornado, for example 
• One outside your neighborhood in case family members can't make it back into your neighborhood due to blocked roads, etc.
• Have a contact who lives outside your state or region as a contact and make sure all family members know this phone number
• Plan for the care and evacuation of your pets in the event of an emergency

COMPLETE THIS CHECKLIST

• Keep a WRITTEN list of emergency contact numbers (fire, police, ambulance, red cross, electric and gas companies) as well as having these in your cell phone contacts
• Teach your children how to use 911 to call for help. 

·         Teach young children their address, parents names and phone numbers

• Check your insurance coverage to assure your property is protected
• Install smoke detectors
• Know the location of the water shut off valve, the main breakers and gas lines so you can turn these off if necessary
• Learn some basic first aid and have a first aid kit in your home stocked with basic supplies
• Instruct family members on 2 different ways to exit each room in your house

·         PRACTICE EVACUATING

• Test your smoke detectors periodically and replace the batteries at Daylight savings time changes (twice a year)

CREATE A KIT

Include the following items in a basic Family Emergency

• Water, at least 9 gallons per person residing in your home, this is 3 gallons per day for 3 days (I keep 3-4 5 liter boxes of water in my home at any given time and we replace them as we use them for drinking water)
• Canned food and a hand operated can opener.  Plan on a 3 day supply of non-perishables for each family member.  Choose foods that require little water to prepare and which don't need to be refrigerated.  (3 cans of soup per person, for example)
• Battery powered flashlight and radio
• First aid supplies including over the counter medications for pain, anti-diarrheals, antiseptic cream, bandages, tape, scissors, needle, tweezers and a thermometer
• Other helpful items:  Towels and blankets, hatchet or saw, butane lighters, trash bags, flares, paper/pencil, whistle, waterproof matches, plastic sheeting, moist towelettes or baby wipes, plastic bucket with a lid, disinfect and bleach, eating utensils, feminine protection, maps aluminum foil, cash
• Important papers (copies of birth certificates, insurance cards, wills, insurance coverage).  I keep these in a binder that is easy to transport in case of an evacuation.  Include photographs of your family in the event of missing persons

SPECIAL NEEDS?  Think about it…

• Infants may require diapers or formula
• Grandma may need her dentures, oxygen of wheelchair
• You may require your insulin or glasses

PRACTICE and MAINTAIN

• Practice your evacuation routes and make sure family members remember where to go and what to do in an emergency
• Replace stored water and food items every 6 months
• Update family photos annually
• Keep your gas tank filled to no less than 1/3 a tank.  When the power shuts down in your community, gas stations CAN'T pump gas!
• Keep some cash on hand in the event you can't use your ATM or Credt Card for transactions