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Disaster Preparedness |
For
additional questions, you can call the Office of Homeland Security at
1-800-BE-READY.
Emergencies
can happen anywhere at anytime. Would you know what to do if you or a loved one
needed help? Here's a quick checklist to see if you and your home are safe:
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Keep a well-stocked first aid kit. Store medication in a locked cabinet
so kids can't access it. Keep cleaning agents and dangerous chemicals out of
reach. Keep all substances in their original containers.
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Fire extinguishers are affordable. Keep one near the furnace, in the
garage, and anywhere else a fire may start. Make sure everyone knows how to use
them.
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Never leave a burning candle unattended or sleep while a candle is
burning.
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Space heaters can be dangerous if not used correctly. Make sure yours
will shut off if accidentally tipped over.
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Install smoke, gas and carbon monoxide detectors outside each sleeping
area in your home, and change batteries regularly.
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Make sure family members know how to shut off utilities, and post the
phone numbers for gas, water and electricity providers.
·
Create and practice a home emergency/escape plan. Determine a meeting
place where your family can go if forced to leave the home; post a note on your
door telling others the date and time you left, and where you’re going.
·
Keep a bag stocked with cash, nonperishable food and water (3 days' worth
for each family member), battery-powered radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, extra
eyeglasses and prescription drugs, change of clothes and sturdy shoes, keys, pet
supplies, and blanket or sleeping bag. Make sure all family members know where
the bag is kept.
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Keep a radio, blanket, flashlight, first-aid kit, and fresh batteries in
every vehicle.
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Keep a phone list of emergency contacts in your vehicle and wallet or
purse.
· Children should know their street address and last name, and how to dial 911.
If
a local disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a
sudden emergency. Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by
planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas
with your family, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone
will see it--on the refrigerator or bulletin board. For additional information
about how to prepare for hazards in your community, contact your local emergency
management or civil defense office and your American Red Cross chapter.
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Call
Your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross Chapter |
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Find
out which disasters could occur in your area. |
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Ask
how to prepare for each disaster. |
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Ask
how you would be warned of an emergency. |
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Learn
your community's evacuation routes. |
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Ask
about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons. |
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Ask
your workplace about emergency plans. |
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Learn
about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center. |
Create An Emergency Plan
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Meet
with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe
weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies. |
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Discuss
how to respond to each disaster that could occur. |
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Discuss
what to do about power outages and personal injuries. |
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Draw
a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room. |
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Learn
how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches. |
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Post
emergency telephone numbers near telephones. |
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Teach
children how and when to call 911, police, and fire. |
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Instruct
household members to turn on the radio for emergency information. |
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Pick
one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to
call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state
than within the affected area). |
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Teach
children how to make long distance telephone calls. |
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Pick
two meeting places. |
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Take
a Basic First Aid and CPR Class |
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Keep
family records in a water-and fire-proof container. |
Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit
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A
supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed,
unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six
months. |
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A
supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can
opener. |
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A
change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes. |
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Blankets
or sleeping bags. |
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A
first aid kit and prescription medications. |
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An
extra pair of glasses. |
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A
battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries. |
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Credit
cards and cash. |
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An
extra set of car keys. |
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A
list of family physicians. |
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A
list of important family information; the style and serial number of
medical devices, such as pacemakers. |
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Special
items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members. |
In
a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment, or
mobile home on a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast.
Develop
an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue
pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture.
Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire
extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits, and utility
shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least
two escape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home
where household members should meet in case of fire. Be sure to include
important points outside, such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators,
driveways, and porches. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional
sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members
at least two times each year.
In
a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything
that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
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Repair
defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. |
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Fasten
shelves securely. |
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Place
large, heavy objects on lower shelves. |
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Hang
pictures and mirrors away from beds. |
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Brace
overhead light fixtures. |
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Secure
water heater. Strap to wall studs. |
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Repair
cracks in ceilings or foundations. |
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Store
weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources. |
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Place
oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans. |
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Clean
and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents. |
If You Need to Evacuate. . .
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Listen
to a battery-powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. |
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Follow
instructions of local officials. |
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Wear
protective clothing and sturdy shoes. |
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Take
your Disaster Supplies Kit. |
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Lock
your home. |
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Use
travel routes specified by local officials. |
If you are sure you have time ...
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Shut
off water, gas, and electricity, if instructed to do so. |
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Let
others know when you left and where you are going. |
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Make
arrangements for pets. Animals are not be allowed in public shelters. |
Prepare an Emergency Car Kit:
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Battery
powered radio and extra batteries |
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Flashlight
and extra batteries |
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Blanket |
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Booster
cables |
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Fire
extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type) |
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First
aid kit and manual |