Disasters can happen anytime and anywhere, so it is important to be prepared before disaster strikes. Disasters can be natural or human-made. Natural disastersinclude windstorms, snow storms, earthquakes and tornadoes. Some of these occur at specific times of year, while others can strike at any time. In today’s world, disasters may also take the form of human-made events, such as a chemical or biological attack, which might require your family members to be confined for a period of time in their homes, schools or offices. Individuals can do a lot to prevent such events from turning into major family catastrophes, by assuming a heightened state of alert, especially at those times of year, when natural disasters are most likely. By taking very simple precautions and planning for your family, you will be better prepared in case a disaster strikes. You will therefore be better able to cope during the emergency.
Prepare a family disaster response plan
- Know what disasters are most likely to affect your community and how to prepare for each one
- Know what form a warning will take (whether radio or other form)
- Discuss all relevant information with your family
- Plan how your family will stay in contact in case you get separated
- Pick a meeting place in case your home cannot be reached
- Arrange with an out-of-state friend or family member to act as a telephone contact point, in case local phone links are disrupted
- Post emergency numbers next to all telephones
- Know how to disconnect/switch off all utilities
- Install smoke detectors and test them on a regular basis to ensure that they are working properly
- Take a first aid course
- Make plans for anyone in your family who may have special needs: (e.g. the elderly or small children) and also for your pets.
Have a family disaster supplies kit
Remember: always store your kit in a convenient place and in an easy-to-carry bag:- Water: store water in plastic containers, 1 gallon of water per person for each day, allowing for up to 3 days.
- Food: store non-perishable food and ready-to-eat canned meats and vegetables, juices, soups, and high energy foods (e.g., peanut butter, nuts and dry cereals, candy, coffee and tea, sugar, salt, vitamins, biscuits). Ensure that you store foods for anyone who may be on a special diet, such as diabetic and baby formulas.
- First-aid kit: bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, needles, antiseptic, pins, latex gloves and cleaning agents. Also include all prescribed medicine and non prescription medicine for pain, anti diarrhea antacid, laxative and something which may be used for poison control (e.g., syrup of ipecac or activated charcoal).
- Tools and supplies: battery operated radio and batteries, flashlight, tape, needles and thread, plastic sheeting, paper and pencil, matches (keep in water proof container), whistle, can opener, fire extinguisher, garbage bags.
- Personal hygiene products: toilet paper, feminine supplies, disinfectant, chlorine bleach, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
- Clothing, shoes and bedding.
- Important family documents should be kept in a water proof, portable container: wills, insurance policies, deeds and stocks, passports, bank account details and credit card information, as well as other family records, such as birth/marriage certificates.
Remember: practice the family plan and maintain the supply kit, by rotating your food and water supplies and by regularly checking your batteries.
The more you plan and prepare, the more effective your response will be if a disaster strikes.
More Resources:
www.fema.gov/areyouready
www.72hours.org
