Education
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS – PREPARING YOURSELF
- Choose two meeting places.
The first meeting place should be a location right outside the home. The site is where household members would meet in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire. The second meeting place should be a building or park outside of the neighborhood in case household members cannot return home. Everyone should know the address of this location.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact". After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Family Disaster Plan
Planning for a disaster involves more than just doing physical preparations on your home. Every member of your household should know what to do and where to go if an emergency happens.
Educate Yourself
Learn the types of natural disasters in your region
Local emergency management or civil defense officials can identify which disasters are most likely to hit your community.
Identify which human-caused or technological disasters can affect your region
Hazardous materials accidents can occur anywhere where chemical substances are stored, manufactured, or transported.
Learn whether your community has a warning system
Not all communities have public warning systems. Contact the local emergency management or civil defense office to find out whether your community has a warning system and if so, how it operates.
Workplace and school emergency response plans
Employers and school officials should have a detailed emergency response (evacuation) plan that is available to the public.
Developing a Household Plan & Keep it simple
Household emergency plans should be kept simple enough so people can remember the details. A disaster is an extremely stressful situation that can create confusion. The best emergency plans are those with very few details.
Identify escape routes
Depending upon the type of disaster, it may be necessary to evacuate the home. Plan several escape routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed.
Identify meeting places
In case family members are separated from one another (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Pets and Disaster
Make arrangements for your pets as part of your household disaster planning. If you must evacuate, it's best to take your pets with you. For health and space reasons, pets will not be allowed in public shelters. If as a last resort you have to leave your pets behind, prepare an emergency pen in the home that includes a three-day supply of dry food and a large container of water.
- Educate Your Household
Post emergency telephone numbers (fire, police, ambulance) by the telephones.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency management number of help.
Make sure all household members know where a fire extinguisher is kept and how to use it.
Teach household members how to turn off utilities.
Be Prepared
Conduct a home hazard hunt.
Identify objects in the house that could be dangerous in an emergency.
Have disaster supplies on hand.
Make an inventory of your home
Make a complete inventory of your home, garage, and surrounding property. The inventory can be either written or videotaped. Include information such a serial numbers, make and model numbers, physical descriptions, and price of purchase (receipts, if possible).
Make copies of important documents
Vital documents such as birth and marriage certificates, tax records, credit card numbers, financial records, wills and trusts can be lost during a disaster. Make two photocopies of these documents and keep the originals in a safe deposit box, keep one in a safe place in the house, and give the second copy to an out-of-province friend.
Take a first aid and CPR class
Home Hazard Hunt
During and right after a disaster, any household item that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard. At least once each year, inspect your home to find and correct potential hazards.Identifying Hazards
Check for electrical hazards
- Replace frayed or cracked extension and appliance cords, loose prongs and plugs.
- Make sure there is only one plug per outlet. Avoid using cube-taps or overloading outlets. If you must use an extension cord, use a cord that's rated for the electrical load and no longer really needed.
- Remove electrical cords that run under rugs or over nails, heaters, or pipes.
- Cover exposed outlets and wiring.
- Repair or replace appliances that overheat, short out, smoke or spark.
Check for chemical hazards
- Store flammable liquids such as gasoline, acetone, benzene, and lacquer thinner in approved safety cans, away from the home. Place containers in a well-ventilated area and close the lids tightly. Secure the containers to prevent spills.
- If flammable materials must be stored in the home, use a storage can with an Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) approved label. Move materials away from heat sources,open flames, gas appliances, and children.
- Keep combustible liquids such as paint thinner, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, and turpentine away from heat sources.
- Store oily waste and polishing rags in covered metal cans.
- Instruct family members not to use gasoline, benzene, or other flammable fluids for starting fires or cleaning indoors.
Check for fire hazards
- Clear out old rags, papers, mattresses, broken furniture and other combustible materials.
- Move clothes, curtains, rags, and paper goods away from electrical equipment, gas appliances or flammable materials.
- Remove dried grass cuttings, tree trimmings and weeds from the property.
- Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents.
- Keep heaters and candles away from curtains and furniture.
- Place portable heaters on a level surface, away from high traffic areas. (Purchase portable heaters that are equipped with automatic shut-off switches and avoid the use of extension cords.)
Safety Equipment
Check fire safety equipment
- Install at least one smoke detector on each level of the home, especially near the bedrooms. Test every month and change batteries at least once a year.
- Keep at least one fire extinguisher (A-B-C type). Maintain and recharge according to manufacturer's instructions. Show all family members where it's kept and how to use it.
Secure Items
Check items that can shift or fall
- Anchor water heater, large appliances, bookcases, other tall or heavy furniture, shelves, mirrors, and pictures to wall studs.
- Fit water heater with a flexible gas supply line.
- Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
- Install clips, latches, or other locking devices on cabinet doors.
- Provide strong support and flexible connections on gas appliances.
- Brace overhead light fixtures.
- Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds and places where people sit.
Utilities
Check your utilities
- Locate the main electric fuse or circuit breaker box, water service shut-off, and natural gas main shut-off.
- Contact local utility companies for instructions on how to turn the utilities off. Teach family members when and how to turn off utilities off.
- Clear area around shut-off switches for easy access.
Gas and water
- Attach shut-off wrench or specialty tool to a pipe or other location close by the gas and water shut-off valves.
- Paint shut-off valves with white or fluorescent paint to increase visibility.
Home Safety
- Plan how to escape. Identify at least two exits from each room. Clear doors, hallways and stairs of obstructions. Conduct emergency drills. Practice day and night time escapes, and pick a safe meeting place outside the home.
Disaster Supply Kit
Earthquakes, floods, and other disasters can seriously disrupt normal life. Services may not be available, transportation may be cut off and roads may be blocked. In some cases, you may be forced to evacuate. Be ready to respond to any situation by assembling and maintaining a disaster supplies kit. You should assemble enough supplies to keep you going for at least three days.
Here are some ideas on what to put in your kit:
Water
- Plan on four litres of water per person per day.
- Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as mason jars or glass bottles.
- Because water is so important to human survival, it should never be withheld. Drink at least two litres per day, as long as supplies last, and look for alternative sources.
Food
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.Choose foods that require no refrigeration, cooking, or preparation and are compact and lightweight. If food must be cooked, include a can of sterno.
Food suggestions:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- dried or instant foods
- Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
- beverages such as juice boxes or those in foil packages
- sugar, salt, pepper
- High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, nuts, health food bars, trail mix
- Comfort stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals.
- Vitamins
Store the supplies in an easy-to-carry object such as a large, covered trash container, camping backpack, or a duffle bag. Seal food in plastic bags and/or tightly lidded containers.
Check your food supply periodically to make sure they haven't expired or aren't leaking or dented. Replace if necessary.
Foods to avoid:
Foods stored in glass that are bulky, heavy, and break easily; whole grains, beans, pastas which could be hard to prepare in a disaster situation.
First Aid Kit
Have two first aid kits.
Keep a complete first aid kit in your home and car.
Items to include:
- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- 4-inch gauze pads
- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
- Triangular bandages (3
- 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- 3-inch sterile roller bandages
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needles
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Tongue blades (2)
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent-soap
- Latex gloves (2 pair)
- Sunscreen
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid (for upset stomach)
- Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Supplies & Tools
- Emergency preparedness manual
- Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- Non-electric can opener, utility knife
- Fire extinguisher, small canister, A-B-C type
- Tube tent
- Pliers
- Tape
- Compass
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Aluminum foil
- Signal flares
- Paper and pencils
- Needles and thread
- Medicine dropper
- Shut off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
- Whistle
- Plastic sheeting
Clothing & Bedding
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Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
- Sturdy shoes or work boots
- Rain gear
- One blanket or sleeping bag per person
- Hat and gloves
- Thermal underwear
- Sunglasses
Sanitation
- Toilet paper, towelettes
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Feminine supplies
- Personal items-shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb and brush, lip balm.
- Small shovel, for digging and expedient latrine
- Plastic garbage bag and ties
- Plastic bucket with tight lid
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
Special Items
Include items for household members with special needs, such as infants, elderly, or disabled individuals.
Babies
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered Milk
- Medications
Children:
- Coloring books and crayons
- Games
- Books
Elderly People
- Heart and high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
Important Documents
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Keep these records in a waterproof container:
- Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds.
- Passports, social security cards, immunization records
- Savings and checking account numbers
- Credit card account numbers and companies
- Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Disaster Kit Storage Suggestions
- Store the kit in a safe, convenient place known to all family members. If possible, it should be a cool, dry, dark location. Keep a smaller version of your disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
- Keep items, or groups of items, in water-proof and air tight plastic bags.
- Change the water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
- Rotate the food every six months.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the proper procedure for storing prescription medications.
- Replace batteries often.
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