Disaster Relief!
Are you prepared for a disaster?
Tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes - there have been a lot of natural disasters recently. If this type of disaster hit your family, would you be ready? In the event of an emergency, would you be able to survive? What would you need, how much?
Although relief workers would be on the scene, you can't guarantee that they can get to you, or those you love. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you and your family know what to do should something happen. Think of what kinds of disasters may occur where you live, then find out how the authorities would notify you. Often there is a television or radio announcement. Some cities have a siren that goes off for specific situations. Find out what your town's disaster program is. Then have an emergency plan, note who to contact, where to go, numbers to call, etc. The plan should include:
- A central meeting point where the family can gather
- Emergency contact telephone numbers. Program an "ICE" (In case of emergency number) in your cell phone - emergency personnel check for this when looking for contact information
- Texting sometimes works better than a regular phone call if there's a service outage. Be sure everyone in the family knows how to text
- Know your hometown alert system, if there is one. Sign up for it if they do. The FEMA website offers local information
- Have an evacuation plan in case you have to leave the area
Several Family Emergency Plan templates are available online. Ready.gov, in conjunction with the Ad Council has a printable plan template ready for use.
FEMA recommends preparing a family emergency kit, with enough supplies to last at least 3 days. Some things to include in the kit are:
- Water - at least one gallon per person per day, and for pets if needed
- Canned or dried food, non-perishable and utensils to use (don't forget the can opener)
- First aid kit
- Battery powered radio and extra batteries
- Prescription drugs if needed to sustain health
- Extra pair of glasses, if needed
- Whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Pet food, if needed
- Baby formula, diapers if needed
- Matches in a waterproof bag
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Emergency cash
- Copies of important documents
- Change of clothing
- Sleeping bag or blankets for each person
- Writing materials
- Fire extinguisher
It is important that you know if there are any emergency plans at work or school. Contact your school district to obtain policy regarding how children will be released from school. Know where the nearest fire station, police station and hospital are. Make sure your children know too. Have a central meeting point in case you are not all in the same place when the emergency happens.
While this may all sound scary and unnecessary, it's better to be prepared than scrambling should the worst happen. When you've made an emergency plan, be sure that every member of your family knows what it is. Have an emergency drill; make sure your children know how to contact emergency services such as 911. These are just the basic first steps to being prepared in the event of an emergency. There is a lot more you can do to be ready. A little time and planning now may save you a lot of time and grief in the future.
Source: www.FEMA.gov, Ready.gov