Get Ready for Emergencies and Disasters
How
To Get
Ready for Emergencies and Disasters
Where
Will You or Your Family Be When an Emergency or Disaster Strikes?
Emergencies
and disasters strike quickly and without warning and can force you to evacuate
your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic
services — water, gas, electricity or telephones — were cut off?
Local
officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they
cannot reach everyone right away. If disaster strikes, you need to know how to
take care of yourself and your family.
People
can cope with disaster by both preparing in advance and working with
families together as a team. Preparing for a disaster or an emergency is a
responsibility that begins with each individual. We can't control all the
emergencies that will occur in our lives, but we can be ready to face them by
knowing what to do and taking action to prepare.
Two
things that will always help you in an emergency or disaster are clear
thinking and quick reactions. If you can stay calm in a crisis,
you'll be better able to make the right decisions. Once you decide the best
action to take in a particular situation, do it! There's no room for hesitation
in a disaster or emergency.
These
Four Steps can help you create your disaster plan:
Step
1: Understand What could happen
Step
2: Create an Emergency/Disaster Plan
Step
3: The Preparedness Checklist: What
You Need to Know
Step
4: Maintain
Your Plan
Much
of this information
was developed by FEMA and the American Red Cross, and can also be found
on their websites.
Step
1: Understand What Could Happen
Look
Around Where You Live
Emergencies
such as terrorism, fire, hazardous materials spills, power outages or those
caused by natural disasters such as tornadoes and winter storms can happen
anywhere to anyone. Even disasters such as hurricanes and flash floods can
affect most regions of the state.
Look
around where you live. Are you near an interstate that could have a hazardous
materials spill? Are you in a flood zone? Ask yourself what emergencies or
disasters could occur in your area.
Community
Warning Signals
Determine
if your community has warning signals. If so, find out what they sound like and
what you should do when you hear them. If not, work with authorities to develop
a system and keep a battery-powered radio handy.
Find
Out About Community Disaster Plans
Find
out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or
daycare center, your community and other places where you or your family spend
time.
If
a Disaster or Emergency Strikes
As
we learned from the events of Sept. 11, 2001, as well as from many other natural
disasters, the following things can happen:
- There
can be significant numbers of casualties/damage to buildings and the
infrastructure. Employers need up-to-date information about your medical
needs and on how to contact your family.
- Health
and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to
their limits, even overwhelmed.
- Extensive
media coverage, strong public fear and international implications can
continue for a prolonged period.
- Workplaces
and schools may be closed, and domestic and international travel may be
restricted.
- You
and your family or household may have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads
blocked for your safety.
- Cleanup
may take many months.
If
a chemical or biological emergency occurs, you can be exposed to the toxins by
inhaling them, swallowing contaminated food, water or medication, or by touching
or coming in contact with contaminated items. You may be told
by authorities to evacuate to a designated location or be asked to shelter in
your home, sealing all windows and doors and turning off air intake.
Step
2: Create an Emergency/Disaster Plan
Meet
with Your Family
Discuss
the types of disasters and emergencies that are most likely to happen and what
to do in each case. Explain the dangers to children and plan to share the
responsibilities, working as a team. If you have in-home childcare, include the
caregiver in your plan. A Personal
Action Plan is an important part of this process because it gives you
a chance to think through what you would do in a real event. The plan includes
information such as your local Emergency Alert System radio or television
station, evacuation assembly centers in your area, emergency phone numbers and
pet care arrangements. The information should be posted on your refrigerator or
in some other prominent spot as well as included in your disaster kit.
Determine
Where to Meet
- A
place right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
- A
location outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Make
wallet cards, so everyone will know the address and phone number of the
place where you are to meet. For older children, select a "safe
house" in areas they frequent — until it is safe to meet.
Have
an "Out-of-Town" Contact
Ask
an out-of-town friend or relative to be your 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 the contact's phone number, and
cell phone number if they have one. Note: If telephones are not working, try
e-mail. Sometimes e-mail gets through when calls cannot. Be aware that cell
phones are often overloaded during and immediately after an emergency, so it is
important to know "land line" phone numbers as well. Check
California Department of Emergency Services
for up-to-date emergency information.
Have
an Emergency Plan for the Mobility-Impaired
Keep
support items in the same place, so they can always be found quickly. For those
who have home-health caregivers, particularly for those who are bed-bound, it is
essential to have an alternate plan if the home-health caregiver cannot make it
to you.
What
to Do if an Emergency/Disaster Strikes
- If
the disaster occurs near you, be prepared to give first aid and get help for
seriously injured people. If
the emergency occurs while you are at home, check for damage using a
flashlight. Do not light matches or candles
or turn on electrical switches.
- Check
for fires, electrical and other household hazards. Be aware that spilled
bleaches, gasoline and other liquids may produce deadly fumes when chemicals
mix, or be a fire hazard. Get advice from the local fire department on how
to clean up spilled liquids, especially if there are noxious fumes.
- Sniff
for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. 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. Know in advance how to shut off all utility
valves and the electricity.
- Make
plans for your pets if you need to evacuate. Do not leave them outside. If
you do not need to evacuate, confine or secure your pets (they're
frightened, too, and may run away or bite someone).
- Check
on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.
- Call
your family contact — do not use the telephone again unless it is a
life-threatening emergency.
If
Children are in School During a Disaster or Emergency
Check
the local media for announcements about changes in school openings and closings.
Parents can always pick up their children during the school day, but sometimes
the safest place might be the school itself. For older children who
self-transport, ask them to follow the instructions of authorities.
Look
to Your Neighbors
Working
with neighbors can save lives and property. Know your neighbors' skills (i.e.,
medical, technical) and consider how you can help neighbors with special needs,
such as disabled or elderly persons. Make plans for childcare in case parents
can't get home.
Have
an Emergency Plan for Your Pets
Due
to health regulations, animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters. Make
arrangements for your pets, either securing them in your home or transporting
them to a safe place.
Step
3: The Preparedness Checklist: What You Need to Know
Emergency
Numbers
Post
emergency numbers by all your phones (fire, police, ambulance, your physician,
etc.). Teach your children how to call these numbers and when it is appropriate
to do so. Include emergency numbers for water/sewer, electricity, gas and the Poison Control
System Hotline, 1-800-222-1222.
Utilities
Know
how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches or
valves and share this information with each family member. Keep any tools you
will need near gas and water shut off valves. Remember, turn off the utilities
only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so.
Do
not turn off gas unless you suspect a leak or local officials advise to do so.
If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on. It
might take several weeks for a professional to respond. In the meantime, you may
be unable to heat your home, make hot water or cook.
Fire
Extinguisher
Be
sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguishers (ABC type), and where
they are kept. (see
FEMA Fire Safety for additional information).
Smoke
Alarms
Install
smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near the bedrooms. Follow
local codes and manufacturer's instructions about installation requirements.
Test monthly.
Escape
Routes and Safe Spots
Determine
the best escape routes out of your home. Find two ways out of each room. Also,
find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster. (For example, if a
tornado approaches, go to the lowest floor of your home or an interior room or
closet with no windows.)
If
Electrical Power is Lost
- Check
to see if neighbors have power. If they are also without service, call your
local power company.
- Use
a flashlight or battery-operated lantern. Do not use candles for emergency
lighting. Candles and kerosene lanterns are fire hazards.
- Turn
off all major appliances. They could overload electric lines when power is
restored, causing a second outage.
- Keep
refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Food can be kept
cold for a day or two if the doors are kept closed.
- Use
portable generators cautiously. Make sure they are outside in a
well-ventilated area. Refuel a generator only after it has cooled.
- In
cold weather, drain pumps, supply lines, water heaters and boilers - these
can freeze when the power is lost. So can traps in drains of tubs, sinks,
commodes, washing machines and dishwashers. In order to avoid burst pipes,
close the main water valve and open the spigots and supply lines and drain
them.
- In
advance, provide your power company with a list of all life support
equipment required by family members. Develop a contingency plan that
includes an alternate power source for the equipment or relocating the
person.
First
Aid/CPR
Take
a Red Cross first aid and CPR class as a family.
Inventory
Home Possessions
Make
a visual or written record of your possessions to help you claim losses in the
event of damage. Include photographs of cars, boats and recreational vehicles.
Get professional appraisals of jewelry, collectibles, artwork or other items
that may be difficult to evaluate. Also, photograph the exterior of your home.
Include the landscaping that may not be insurable, but does increase the value
of your property for tax purposes. Make copies of receipts and canceled checks
for valuable items.
Stock
Emergency Supplies and Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
Keep
enough supplies in your home to meet your needs and those of each family member
for three to five days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need
in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such
as backpacks, duffel bags or covered trash containers. (also check Red Cross Workplace
Disaster Supplies Kit.)
INCLUDE:
- Three-
to five-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that
won't spoil. Include a manual can opener.
- One
change of clothing and footwear and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- A
first aid kit that includes your family's prescriptions and medications.
Include contacts or an extra pair of glasses.
- Emergency
tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlights and plenty of extra
batteries.
- An
extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash (small denominations) or
traveler's checks.
- Sanitation
supplies including toilet paper, soap, plastic garbage bags and
disinfectant.
- Special
items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
- Important
family documents in a waterproof container. Keep the originals of all
important financial and family documents in a safe place. You will need
accessible records for tax and insurance purposes.
Ask
one person to be responsible for replacing water every three months and food
every six months. Batteries should also be replaced on a regular basis. Tape the
call letters and frequency numbers of your emergency alert radio stations (Emergency
Alert System - EAS)
on the radio and make sure everyone knows how to work the radio and put in fresh
batteries. Also tape the channel number of the television emergency broadcast
stations on your TV.
Insurance
Coverage
Check
if you have adequate insurance coverage. Homeowners insurance does not cover
floods and some other major disasters. If you are in an area that can flood,
talk with your insurance agent about getting flood insurance.
Step
4: Maintain Your Plan
Quiz
Review
your plan every six months and quiz your family about what to do.
Drill
Conduct
fire and emergency evacuation drills on a regular basis.
Restock
Check
food supplies for expiration dates and discard, or replace stored water and food
every six months.
Test
Read
the indicator on your fire extinguisher(s) and have it/them recharged by a
professional according to manufacturer's instructions. Also, test your smoke
alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
For
More Information:
- Check
the government pages of your phone book for your locality's emergency
management office phone number.
- Visit
these Web Sites:
Click
on our ICOE.US
Links page to explore other sites that offer disaster and
emergency preparedness information.
How To Get Ready for Emergencies & Disasters
