Being Prepared is Your Best Defense

September is National Preparedness Month. This year’s active hurricane season should serve as a reminder to be prepared--just in case. Even if you don’t live in coastal regions the potential for natural or manmade disasters is still a threat. Floods, tornados, earthquakes, blizzards--will your family be prepared if the unfortunate occurs? Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. Advance planning and a quick response are your best defense against the unexpected. Here are 4 steps to safety from "Family Disaster Plan." developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

Create a Disaster Supply Kit Including:

• Water (3 gallons per person recommended)

• 3-day supply of Non-perishable foods (Peanut butter; canned goods, cereal, granola bars)

• Supplies for infants or the elderly (diapers, formula, powdered milk, medications)

• Battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries

• First-aid kit and manual

• Personal identification, passports, and copies of social security cards

• Prescription Drugs

• Emergency phone numbers

• Credit card and extra cash and change

• Non-electric can-opener and utility knife

• Plan an evacuation route, and know the safest route to emergency shelters. Conduct family emergency drills about every 6 months.

• Learn about emergency plans in your child's school or day care center and in the community.

• Make sure all family members know where to go in the home to be safe; establish a meeting place away from your home in case it becomes unsafe or you become separated in an emergency.

• Make sure all family members can recognize danger signals (e.g., smoke detector alarm) and the warning signals your community uses, as well as what to do if they hear them.

• Choose an out-of-state family contact, and make sure everyone knows how to contact this person, in case you become separated in an emergency. Make sure your children know how to call for help, how to shut off utilities, and when to use emergency numbers.

• Develop a plan to protect your pets in an emergency. Emergency shelters often don’t take in pets.

• Make copies of important documents and keep the originals in a safe deposit box away from your home.

• Conduct a household inventory. Make a detailed visual or written record of all your possessions, including model and serial numbers.

• Every month test your smoke alarms

• Review your family disaster plan and do escape drills every 6 months.

• Replace stored food and water.

• At least once a year replace batteries in smoke alarms.

• Remain calm and put your plan into action.

• Listen to local radio and television stations for updates - follow all instructions.

• If the electricity goes out, listen to a battery-powered radio for instructions. If told to evacuate, leave right away.

• If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly. Shut off any other damaged utilities (a professional will need to turn the gas back on).

• Watch for downed power lines.

• Clean up any spilled household chemicals, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately.

• Confine or secure your pets.

• Check on neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.

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