EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

What To Do When Disaster Threatens

Why Prepare for Disaster?

Disaster can strike wit hout warning, force you to go for days without basic necessities or to evacuate your home.  Relief workers will bee on the scene following a disaster, but may not be able to reach you immediately.

You need to be prepared. Knowing the steps to take during a disaster-- whether flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes or another crisis -- can greatly reduce the danger and distress your family may face. This guide will help you and your family plan for a variety of emergency situations, persevere during them and recover afterward.

Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter to learn which disasters could strike your community. Use their information, along with this guide, to help you prepare for and reduce the risks you face.

Creating a Basic Emergency Plan

Having a plan is one of the most important steps you can take in disaster preparedness. Knowing what to do and how to do it can help your family manage disasters with less worry, fear and uncertainty.

• Decide what you and your family would do in each potential emergency situation.
• Draw a floor plan of your home showing escape routes.
• Choose a place away from your neighborhood where family members can meet in case you are separated and cannot return home due to a disaster.
• Identify a friend or relative who lives out of the area for family members to contact if you are separated.
• Post emergency numbers by every phone and teach children how and when to dial 911.
• Know how to shut off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches in your home.
• Plan how to help elderly or disabled neighbors in a disaster.
• Check that your insurance policies are up-to-date and provde good coverage.

Preparing a Disaster Supply Kit

Having a disaster supply kit ready to take with you at a moment's notice ensures that you will have necessary supplies no matter how fast you may need to evacuate. Pack supplies in duffel bags or backpacks and keep them in a designated place. Your kit will also come in handy if you must take shelter in your home. This list will help ensure that your disaster supply kit includes all the essentials.

Water

• Pack at least one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
• Store water in tightly sealed, nonbreakable plastic, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers.
• Change your water every six months.

Food

• Pack enough food to last each family member at least three days.
• Include canned and boxed foods because they require little preparation and stay food for long periods of time. Remember to bring a manual can opener or to buy food in self-opening cans.
• Pack foods in sealed metal or plastic containers
• Replace foods every six months
• Include foods for infants and family members with special diets.

Tools and Equipment

• Battery-powered radio
• Flashlights
• Spare batteries
• Resealable plastic bags
• Washcloths and towels
• Paper cups and plates and plastic utensils
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and other toiletries
• Heavy-duty plastic garage bags
• Change of clothing and an extra pair of shoes and socks for each person
• Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person

Personal Items

• Personal Information
• Copies of birth and marriage certificates, inventory of household goods, bank account numbers and other important documents
• Maps
• Extra car and house keys
• Prescription medications

First Aid Kit Essentials

Treating Serious Injuries

Injuries are common in disasters, but there are simple things you can do to comfort those who are hurt and prevent further harm. It's always a good idea to learn First Aid, CPR and the Heimlilch maneuver.

Heavy Bleeding

Cover wound with a clean cloth and press firmly. Add cloths on top of first cloth as needed. Elevate bleeding arm or leg unless a fracture is suspected.

Burns

Flush burned area with cool water (unless an electrical burn). Do not use ice or ointments except on minor burns. Do not break blisters or remove clothes stuck to skin. Cover injured area with a dry, clean dressing. Call 911 if burn is serious or covers more than one body part, involves head, neck, hands, feet or genitals, or is caused by chemical, explosion or electricity.

Fractures

Do not move victim if he/she is unconscious or back or neck injuries are suspected. Treat breathing, bleeding or shock first. Immobilize fracture before moving the victim.

Shock

Indicated by pale, clammy skin; weakness; fast breathing; rapid, weak pulse; confusion. Lay victim on his/her back with feet raised. Keep victim warm.

Always call 911 if a person is seriously injured.

In Case of Evacuation

In a disaster situation, it may be necessary to evacuate your home for several days or longer. Because disasters can strike with little or no warning, you should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Knowing beforehand the steps to take in case of evacuation can make a big difference.

• Contact the local emergency management office to learn evacuation routes for your area.
• Determine where you will go if your community is evacuated.
• Discuss with your family the possibility of evacuation.
• Find out your child's school evacuation policy.
• Check that your disaster supply kit is assembled and ready to go.
• Make sure your car is filled up--fuel may be in short supply during a disaster.

When Authorities Tell You To Evacuate

• Bring your disaster supply kit
• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing
• Unplug home electronics
• Lock the doors and windows
• Turn off the main switches and valves for gas, water and electricity, if instructed.
• Inform a friend or relative of your route.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Watch for washed-out bridges, flooded areas and downed power lines.

Pets

• Pets should not be left behind during a disaster, but do not risk your own safety attempting to find them if you must evacuate quickly.
• Attach ID tags to lyour pet with your name and address.
• Remember that most emergency shelters do not allow pets (except service animals).
• Make a list of pet shelters and of hotels that permit animals in the area you would evacuate to.
• Put together an emergency suppy kit for your pet. Include things like a first aid kit, food dishes, a litter box, a leash or pet carrier, medication, food, veterinary records and water.

Managing a Disaster at Home

Although you may not be asked to evacuate--and even if you are-- disasters can isolate you from outside help and make it necessary for you to care for yourself for days at a time. Your disaster supply kit will contain many of the tools and supplies you need. Here are other ways to use and manage the resources you have at your home.

Water

• Water is crucial for health and survival. If a disaster is imminent, fill pitchers, jars, buckets, water bottles and your bathtub in case your community water supply is cut off.
• If your drinking water supply is running low, use water from ice cube trays, the water heater and tiolet tanks (but not bowls). It is not safe to use the water from radiators, waterbeds or swimming pools.
• Each person should drink at least two quarts of water each day. Drink what you need each day, and look for more water for the next day. 

Food

• Ration food supplies for everyone except children and pregnant women. Most people can survive easily on half the normal amount.
• Avoid eating food from dented or swollen cans or food that looks or smells abnormal.
• Use pre-prepared formula for babies.

In Case The Power Goes Out

• Practice energy conservation to help your power company avoid rolling blackouts.
• Always keep your car's fuel tank at least half full--gas stations use electricity to operate pumps.
• Know how to manually release your electric garage door.
• Protect your computer with a surge protector.
• If the power goes out, check your fuse box or circuit breaker, or contact neighbors to see if the outage is limited to you own home.
• Turn off computers, stereos, televisions and appliances you were using when the power went off. Leave one light turned on so you know when power is restored.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer doors. Food will remain fresh for up to four hours after the power goes off. If you know power outages may happen, freeze water in plastic bottles to keep food cool longer.
• If the outage is expected to last for several days or more, consider relocating to a shelter or a friend's home.

What to Do after a Disaster

Whether returning home or venturing outside for the first time, beware of new dangers that may have arisen because of the disaster. You may experience washed-out roads, downed power poles, contaminated drinking water or other hazards. Report problems promptly to local officials so that corrective measures can be taken.

Inspect Your Home For Damage

• Look for structural damage, loose or damaged electrical wires, and gas leaks before re-entering your home. If you doubt the safety of the structure, contact a professional before entering.
• Do not enter a fire-damaged house until authorities have inspected it.
• Check the refrigerator and discard spoiled food.
• Contact your insurance agent.