When Disaster Strikes Will You Be Ready?
Even if you do not live near the coast, threats such as tornadoes, flooding, ice and snow storms and even the potential for an earthquake are possible. If a disaster happened unexpectedly, would you be ready? The information in this brief guide is meant to help you plan and prepare for yourself and your family in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
The first step you should take is to develop a plan for your family so that everyone knows what to do if a warning is issued. Your family may not be together when an emergency happens so it is important to discuss meeting places, alternate communication strategies and escape routes. You should also discuss plans for your pets. Your emergency plan is the most important step to ensuring your and your family remain together and safe in the event of a disaster. Take your time and put your plan on paper to ensure that you don’t leave out important details.
The next step in ensuring the well being of yourself and loved ones in the event of an emergency situation is to have an emergency supply kit. All families should have more than one kit because you will not know where you’ll be when an emergency occurs. You should prepare a kit for your home, vehicle and one for work if possible. The following items are recommended for a basic emergency supply kit:
3 day supply of non-perishable food and water. (one gallon of water per person per day).
Portable radio or TV with extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Sanitation items such as toilet paper and baby wipes.
Matches and water proof container
Extra clothing
Kitchen accessories and utensils including a manual can opener.
Photocopies of credit cards and ID.
Special items such as medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, contact lens solutions
Items for infants such as diapers, bottles and pacifiers.
Cash and coins .
Persons that live in cold climates should also prepare items such as an alternate heating source, hats, gloves and scarves, and sleeping bags.
In the event of many natural disasters, an evacuation may be recommended or even mandatory. Always keep a full tank of gas in your car. If you do not own a car or have dependable transportation, make travel arrangements with relatives or the local government. It is also important to listen to the radio and follow evacuation instructions and routes. You will need to take an emergency supplies kit if time permits. Essentials such as food, water, clothing and a first aid kit should be included in your kit.
In order to be as prepared as possible for a catastrophe such as a hurricane, tornado or flood, you should investigate your local disaster preparedness plans. These documents are available for public viewing and can be found by contacting your local government offices. If you have school age children, you will need to find out what policies are in place if an event such as a tornado occur during school hours. Many schools will not release children to anyone other than a parent in the event of a disaster. The more you know about your community’s disaster preparedness plan the better off you will be when an emergency situation occurs. Communications are usually very slow if not cut off during an actual disaster.
2005 has been a year for learning and we have all learned a great deal from recent events in Louisiana and the surrounding states. We have learned from mudslides and forest fires in California and tornadoes in Indiana. What we have learned is that you cannot depend on the government for your immediate safety and well being in the event disaster strikes and that a disaster preparedness plan can prevent many of the problems caused by a natural disaster.
Plan Well!
