Every year California is plagued by
fires and
mudslides, even the occasional
earthquake. The coast of Florida is plummeted by pounding waves with high-velocity
gales and
hurricanes.
Tornadoes run through the panhandle of Oklahoma on a routine basis during their season. Severe
snowstorms blanket many parts of the East coast for weeks at a time in knee to waist high snow. Parts of the Mississippi river overflow
flooding surrounding areas, causing residents to climb atop their homes awaiting to be rescued. Arizona is known for
flash floods or people dying of
heat exposure. Many people loose power, their homes, some even their lives. Is your family prepared for a disaster of any caliber. Even a
house fire will cause you to become disoriented and displaced. Are you ready? Do you have a plan that everyone in your family knows about? Do you have an
emergency preparedness kit ready and easily accessible? If you don't. Don't hesitate to do so now. Being prepared, even if you never have to use it, is better than needing it and not having it. Okay, you say. So where do you begin? Glad you asked. Read on.
Making three kits is always the best alternative; Kit one is for when you are forced to stay home -- in the case of an earthquake or tornado (and you've taken shelter and are safe after the disaster; staying home would be the safest option unless you are evacuated due to outages or fires/gas line breakage etc.) Kit two is for if you are evacuated. Kit three is for your vehicle, in case you don't make it to home to get your kit and have to be evacuated from your work for example. At the bottom of the article I have placed a checklist link (from FEMA's site) to help you with creating you kits. Still I will go over some of the items anyways.
I have also provided a link with info on making contact information cards, which are necessary for each member to have in their wallets/purses in time of disasters. In such times there is general panic and confusion and people can forget or jumble phone numbers. These cards are a way in which you will be able to contact certain persons in case you can't contact one another. Remember to make a plan on where to meet in cases that you are not together if such an event occurs. Please stress the importance of using the contact cards and having a meeting place (if it is safe-if not then leave info on your location with each of the contact's on your card so the other members will be able to find out your whereabouts when they call in).
In your "Stay At Home Kit" you will need: (this is for an average 3 day stay)
Water-is an essential ingredient for every kit, at least 3 gallons per person in this kit is needed since you don't know how long you'll be home.
Toilet paper,
Canned food and non-perishable snacks (i.e. dry fruits like raisins), handheld
can-opener,
blankets,
first-aid kit,
medication (you might be taking or a family member),
pet food/pet supplies,
bleach (non-scented),
pens/pencils and paper ,
clothes (for each family member),
books/games (to occupy your time).
In your "Evacuation Kit" you will need:
Water-is an essential ingredient, as you are traveling you can't take 3 gallons per person therefore it can only be 1 gallon per person.
Flashlight (with additional batteries-or a flashlight that doesn't require batteries is actually the best type to have actually), small
hand-held radio (additional batteries),
canned or dried food, hand-held
can-opener,
pet food (one day supply),one change of
clothes (for each family member),
plastic/paper plates/cups/silverware, personal
hygiene items (don't forget hand sanitizer "waterless"),
medication (you or family members normally take),
identification cards, contact information card (with numbers of family and friends out of state),
sleeping bags.
Place this kit in one place that is easily accessible for everyone. Make it simple to get to, so you can grab it and go without much hesitation.
In your "Vehicle Kit" you will need:
Same as your Evacuation Kit
plus the following items; NOAA
weather radio (if your small hand-held one doesn't get the weather station),
signal flares,
matches (in a waterproof container),
tools (wrench, pliers, shovel at least),
duct tape and scissors,
whistle,
plastic sheeting,
work gloves,
tent,
compass,
needle and thread, battery operated travel
alarm clock,
ABC fire extinguisher.
Remember to change your supply of water every six months (dump, rinse, clean, container and refill). Please be sure that you date your water with a label to make it easier to know when to refurbish your supply. Keep water in plastic containers, not glass. Also, write dates on your food items and refurbish them every six months too.
Look also on the
Kit checklist link for a checklist of other items. These will be documents and extra keys and such. These things you will probably either store in another location entirely that is easily accessible outside your home. Some people find a safe deposit box a good idea. But in the case of an earthquake or power outage I'm not sure that it would be totally accessible. Some prefer to store them in their garage or even in their car or at work. The choice is yours.
Familiarize yourself with the use of a fire extinguisher, below is a link to a basic fire extinguisher use. Also is a link about terrorism fact information in case of another attack. Take CPR and First Aid courses through your local Red Cross or Hospital. Some Red Cross chapters also offer classes in preparation for terrorism attacks if you decide you would like to be more prepared in that area. Preparedness is the best way to be when an emergency arises. Remain calm as possible, you may be the one people depend on.
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