Rarely ever is anyone ready for an emergency or disaster, but some preplanning can help
provide a small sense of relief. Making some lists, storing a few items, and talking about
what to do can strengthen a family. Here are a few checklists to help you get your home
and family ready.
provide a small sense of relief. Making some lists, storing a few items, and talking about
what to do can strengthen a family. Here are a few checklists to help you get your home
and family ready.
CREATE A FAMILY EMERGENCY CONTACT PLAN
Telephones, computers, and cell towers may be out of service or intermittent. If you store
all your information on a cell phone that runs out of batteries or a laptop that cannot power
up, you will need to make a paper copy of people’s contact information. If the family is
separated, establish how and where you will reunite.
all your information on a cell phone that runs out of batteries or a laptop that cannot power
up, you will need to make a paper copy of people’s contact information. If the family is
separated, establish how and where you will reunite.
1. Write Down Contact Information
- Have phone numbers and email addresses for everyone in your household.
- Write down contact information for family members that do not live with you.
- Make a list of your doctors and the hospitals.
- Know how to contact the schools, the workplace or office, and your home insurance
- Know how to contact the schools, the workplace or office, and your home insurance
company.
2. Emergency Meeting Spots
Discuss different circumstances and different places you can meet. If your home is
damaged, select a neighbor’s driveway or even a tree across the street. Streets may
need to be blocked off. In those situations, arrange to meet at a library, park, or church.
damaged, select a neighbor’s driveway or even a tree across the street. Streets may
need to be blocked off. In those situations, arrange to meet at a library, park, or church.
3. Practice
Make practice sessions important but lighthearted. They should not be traumatizing or
frightening.
frightening.
- Visit the emergency meeting locations.
- Practicing texting each other with messages like, “I’m OK at school,” or, “I’m OK
walking to church.”
- Text messages may work when calls will not go through because texting requires
less bandwidth, and messages are stored and sent when transmission becomes
available.
POWER OUTAGE PREPARATION
During an emergency power can be down for hours or longer. Having a few household
items tucked away will make short interims easier.
items tucked away will make short interims easier.
- Turn off lights and appliances. This will help prevent the circuits from overloading
when the power comes back on.
- Do not go near downed power lines or the crews working on them.
- Have flashlights with fresh batteries ready to go.
- Have blankets, bottled water, and nonperishable snacks on hand.
- Leave the refrigerator closed.
- Have a battery-powered radio.
After the power has been restored, replenish the flashlight batteries, and check the food
in the refrigerator. If the refrigerator dropped below 40 degrees for more than two hours,
throw the food out.
in the refrigerator. If the refrigerator dropped below 40 degrees for more than two hours,
throw the food out.
DRINKING WATER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
There are situations where the drinking water supply may not get through the system.
The EPA recommends bottle water, but if the only source of water has not been treated
or is questionable, this government agency recommends boiling or sanitizing the water.
The EPA recommends bottle water, but if the only source of water has not been treated
or is questionable, this government agency recommends boiling or sanitizing the water.
Boil the water will remove microorganism, bacteria, and viruses but the boiling will not
remove any metals, such as lead. If you cannot boil on a stovetop, do not operate charcoal
or propane barbecue appliances indoors because of carbon monoxide poisoning. For more
information how to protect yourself against carbon monoxide poisoning, visit The Center for
Disease Control (prevent carbon monoxide poisoning).
remove any metals, such as lead. If you cannot boil on a stovetop, do not operate charcoal
or propane barbecue appliances indoors because of carbon monoxide poisoning. For more
information how to protect yourself against carbon monoxide poisoning, visit The Center for
Disease Control (prevent carbon monoxide poisoning).
- To begin let the water sit if it is murky. Allow the sediment to fall to the bottom then
slowly strain through a clean cloth or coffee filters.
- Once the water reaches a fast rolling boil, set a timer for at least one minute, but if you
live in a high altitude (5,000 feet or higher), the water must be rapidly boiled for at least
three minutes.
- Allow the water to cool and transfer to clean containers.
Boiled water can taste flat. Adding a pinch of salt to a quart will mildly change the flavor,
or aerating the water by pouring it between two containers several times can help alter the
taste too.
or aerating the water by pouring it between two containers several times can help alter the
taste too.
It is possible to disinfect water with household bleach to find out more on that process visit
the Department of Health (Be Prepared, Be Safe).
the Department of Health (Be Prepared, Be Safe).
Regrouping after any emergency can be challenging, but these three tips can make the
tasks more manageable.
tasks more manageable.
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