Prepare Now! Emergency Readiness
PREPARE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
In an emergency, you may need a supply kit at home or to take with you in an evacuation. Prepare your kit and keep it handy. Make sure everyone at home knows where it is. Replace food, water, medical supplies, and batteries as needed.
Prepare an Auto Kit
Keep a supply kit in your car that includes:
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra mittens/gloves, warm socks, caps, and rain gear
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Booster cables, flares and triangle reflectors
- Small tools-pliers, wrench, screwdriver
- Shovel, rock salt, sand or kitty litter for traction
- Tire repair kit
- First-aid it and necessary medications
- Electronics charging cables
- Nonperishable Foods/Bottled Water
Make a Family Emergency Plan
Family emergency planning can be the key to surviving an emergency. It is important to talk to your family to prepare them for various emergencies. Ensure the whole family is a part of the planning process so that the plan addresses everyone’s needs.
Recognize that in extreme situations, emergency resources may be limited. Be prepared to care for yourself and your family for at least three days (72 hours).
- Contact your local emergency management agency. Ask what kind of emergencies to prepare for in your area.
- Ask local authorities about your community’s evacuation plan.
- Choose a safe room in your home in case you are told not to evacuate.
- Designate 2 locations to meet in case it is impossible to return home or if you have to evacuate. Make sure family members know the address and phone number of both locations.
- One near your home
- One outside the neighborhood
- Teach your children their address and phone number.
- Put a list of emergency numbers by the phone. Only use the phone if someone needs immediate help. (Local authorities need access to the phone lines in an emergency situation).
- Designate an out-of-area contact person. This person should be far enough away they would not be affected by the same event. Family members should call this person to report their locations. Provide contact person with important names/numbers so they can assist in keeping others posted.
- Plan for health needs (prescriptions, medical supplies). If family members have disabilities, make a list of any special help needs.
- Plan for your pets (shelters do not accept pets). Plan for livestock, if any.
- Learn about emergency levels: Advisory, Watch, Warning
- Learn types of emergency signals on radio and TV.
- Learn First Aid and CPR. Contact your local Red Cross.
- Ask your work, school, church or day care about their emergency procedures.
- Locate your main water, electric and gas switches and valves, make sure everyone knows how to operate them.
- Make copies of all important documents and keep them off-site in a secure location.
- Meet with family members and talk about your emergency plan. Have practice drills.
Prepare your Home for an Emergency
- Have your home inspected for fire and building codes.
- Repair poor wiring and large cracks in plaster.
- Buy disaster insurance to cover home and property. Ask your insurance company or local emergency authorities about the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Keep important papers and photos of personal property in a safety deposit box.
- Put easy-to-reach ABC fire extinguishers on every floor. Ask your Fire Department to train you. Check periodically.
- Install smoke detectors outside each sleeping area, not in kitchens or bathrooms. Check and dust once a month. Change batteries yearly (a good time is when you adjust your clocks each fall).
- Install a carbon monoxide detector. Maintain according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Buy flashlights, emergency lighting. Avoid candles (fire hazard).
- Make your address visible from the street so fire trucks can find you.
- Secure your water heater.
- Locate your home main water, electrical, and gas shut-offs. Learn how and when to shut them off. Mark with brightly colored stickers or tape.