How to Plan for Major Disasters and Personal Survival
How many people are aware that September is National Preparedness Month? If a life threatening national disaster were to strike your city within minutes, would you and your family be prepared? Would you know what to do? Would you know where to go? Most people would not simply because they have never planned on the disaster happening to them and never thought about what they would do should this occur. This is why it is imperative that you take on the responsibility of devising your own plan for survival should a disaster occur. In the case of national disasters on a local, state, or federal level, they are supposed to have plans in place. It is to your advantage and to the advantage of the safety of you and your loved ones to have a personal plan for disasters and survival. Emergency preparedness is one the key elements involved regarding survival when looking at disasters on a large or small scale. With proper planning however come increased chances of survival even in the worse possible devastation.
The region one lives in usually dictates the nature of the disaster. Be it hurricane, tornado, flash flood, earthquake or forest fire, at some point and time during national disasters most areas plan for evacuations. If your area is included, this means you have to be able to be in a position to grab and go. Your survival kits should already be packed and easily accessible. All family members should be familiar with the contents of the survival kits. Every member of the household that is capable of understanding and following instructions should also attend and play a part in a regular emergency drill devised to coordinate your survival plan. Positions of leadership should be rotated just in case the head of the family becomes unexpectedly incapacitated. This eliminates the panic factor should this occur. Go over the floor plan of your home and escape routes from each room. Discuss where you will meet should you be separated during an emergency. Designate another family contact outside of your immediate geographic area to contact once the disaster ceases. Be sure everyone memorizes this phone number as well as having it written down and packed in the survival bag. Confirm that your contact person is aware of his or her role in your emergency preparedness survival plan. Know where the designated evacuation centers are for your community. Drive the route to this location with your family should you get separated in case of emergency, family members will know where to go.
Have emergency kits packed and ready to go upon notice of evacuation. Most ready to purchase emergency kits are equipped for one to survive 72 hours. Each member of the family should have his or her own personal kit, and it should be in an easy to carry backpack, allowing freedom of movement for hands and arms. The contents of the bags (or buckets for homes) should be inclusive of the following items;
A copy of your complete up to date emergency plan in each family members bag, food, MREs (Meals Ready To Eat), bottled water, pet food, leashes and collars, blankets, extra clothes, rain ponchos, rubber gloves, first aid kit, medicines, flashlight, radio and batteries, toilet paper, purell hand sanitizer and any other sanitation items such as pre-moistened towelettes and deodorant, plastic baggies, toothpaste, toothbrush, cooking equipment, strike anywhere matches, a non-electric can opener, prescription eyeglasses, inflatable vests, face mask, rubber gas mask, a watch, a Swiss army knife or something similar, important papers and cash, walkie talkies, and a pair of durable shoes. A small fire extinguisher is also advisable. Also ensure you have all documents and necessary tags for your pets. This sounds like a lengthy list however once you pack it, unpack it and repack it, you will quickly devise a way to make it work. Please note everyone that lives in a region that regularly experiences natural disasters should also have emergency equipment in their cars. For those with pets your plans will also have to be modified. I have two small dogs totaling 10 pounds together. Part of my emergency plan was to include two of the strap on dog carriers that I could affix to my body in case of evacuation. You want to allow as much freedom of movement regarding your hands. One never knows what the conditions will be, but as we have seen historically, expect the worse and prepare for the worse. With emergency supplies in a backpack your hands are free to maneuver and provide stability.
In preparing your home for a disaster should you become homebound, your emergency supplies and procedures will vary. Most importantly your water should be in sanitary drums. You should have water purification tablets and a portable filter. It is to your advantage to store food in a seal tight container as well. You will want to secure any high standing fixtures that may fall to prevent injuries. All heavy objects should be on bottom shelves. It maybe necessary to disable electricity, gas and water during a disaster to avoid explosions or other dangers. Be certain all family members know where fire extinguishers and water hoses are. Familiarize your family with the safety procedure ahead of time and go through a trial run. This familiarity with the emergency plan lessens anxiety, panic and stress in the case of a real emergency. Keep your plan updated with current phone contacts and emergency numbers for the Police, the Fire Department, 911, local hospitals and any other emergency numbers you deem necessary to show on the list. Emergency preparedness is a necessary part of saving lives. This preparedness starts at home first. Do the responsible thing for you and your family. Have a plan. Plan your work, and work your plan. Contact your state department and The Red Cross for literature regarding emergency disaster plans.
