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1. MAKE A PLAN
Planning ahead is the first step to a calmer and more assured disaster reponse.
TALK. Dissuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish reponsibilities for each member of your family household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternatesin case someone is absent.
PLAN. Choose tow plans to meet after a disaster. Right ouside your home, in case of a sudden emergency such as fire and the other outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or asked to evacuate your neighorhood.
LEARN. Each abult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilites such as electricity, water and gas. Ask someone a the fire department to show you how to use the fire extinguisher you store in your home.
CHECK SUPPLIES. Reveiw your disaster supplies and replace water and every six months.
TELL. Let everyone in the houdehold know where emergency contact information is kept. Make copies for everyone to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-state contact. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.
PRACTICE. Practice emergency evacuation of your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternates routes on the map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked.
2. BUILD A KIT
What you have on hand when a disaster happens can make a big difference. Plan to store enough supplies for everyone in your household for at least three days.
Water store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more. Store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person and replace every six months.
Food store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your
Disaster Supplies Kit::
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
Canned juices
High energy foods
Vitamins
Food for infants
Replace every six months.
Flashlight. Include extra batteries.
First Aid Kit. Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
(20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
(1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
(1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
(2) triangular bandages.
(2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
(2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
(1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
(2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
(6) antiseptic wipes.
(2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
Adhesive tape, 2" width.
Anti-bacterial ointment.
Cold pack.
Scissors (small, personal).
Tweezers.
CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.
Medications. Don't forget prescription and non-prescription items.
Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid
Laxative
Heart and high blood pressure medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Battery-operated radio. Include extra batteries.
Tools and Supplies.
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of the area (for locating shelters
Clothing. Provide a change of one complete set of clothing for everyone and including work boots, rain gear, hat, gloves, thermal underwear, strurdy footwear and gloves per-person.
Presonal itms.
Contact lenses, solution,and supplies
Extra eye glasses
sunglasses
Will
Insurance policies
Contracts deeds
Stocks and bonds
Passports
Social security cards
Immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers
Companies Inventory of valuable household goods
Important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container. Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
Sanitary supplies.
Toilet paper, towelettes
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Money. Have cash. ATM and credit cards won't work if the power is out.
Pet supplies. Includes food, water, leash, litter box or plastice bags, tags, any medications and vaccination information.
Clothing and Bedding Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
Rain gear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses
3. Be Informed
Know what may happen and how you can help
Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play and how they can affect you, your family and community
Identify how authorities will notify you and how you will get important information
Learn what you can do to prepare by contacting your local chapter of the American Red Cross to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster training
Share what you have learned
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