How to Prepare Yourself and Your Family for Disasters

Presentation Objectives List general steps to prepare for any disaster List the necessary components of an emergency/disaster supply kit Provide guidelines for creating an emergency/disaster family plan Learn how to get more information on disasters and preparedness

How do I prepare for an emergency? Take the same general steps to prepare for most emergencies, 1. Make an emergency/disaster supply kit 2. Make an emergency/disaster family plan 3. Stay informed 4. Get involved

You Can Make an Emergency Kit Simply and Cheaply!!! You wont need these supplies often, so it is ok to purchase inexpensive items You have to start somewhere…buy one extra item every time you go to the grocery or department store…it will all add up and eventually you can have a full kit!

Basic Information About Disaster Kits Remember to check your items every 6 months and rotate foods/water/medicines in with your regular supplies. Make sure your kit is not too heavy for you to carry in an emergency!! Remember, you should be able to grab a kit and go immediately during an emergency…dont count on pulling things together around the house during that time. Most importantly: Individualize your kit to your specific family needs!!

Basic Items to Include in an Emergency Supply Kit Water Food Clothes (jacket, hat) Medications Flashlight Manual Can Opener Radio (hand- cranked/battery powered) Hygiene Items First Aid

First-Aid Kit Sterile bandages and gauze in assorted sizes Adhesive tape Anti-diarrhea medication Cold pack Scissors, tweezers, safety pins Alcohol wipes Disposable gloves List of family members allergies, health conditions, and medications

Also include….Copies of Important Papers/Documents – Birth Certificate – Recent Family Photos – Wills – Homeowners/Flood Insurance – Social Security Card – Drivers License – Childrens Identification Cards – Deed – Physicians Information – List of Prescription Medications – List of Family/Friends Names & Contact Information, etc. Keep these items in a Ziploc/plastic sealable bag

Dont forget your pets! Plan to take your pets with you when you evacuate Many counties in NC are creating co-location shelters where you can stay with your pet Consider having your Vet put a microchip in your pet incase you do become separated

Know Where Your Storm- Safe Areas Are Located What is a safe area? – An area/room in your home or workplace that is free from or has minimal windows and does not have an outside wall and is preferably located on the first floor (i.e., closet, bathroom, hallway, etc.). Designate/Educate your family on where to go inside your home for safety until the storm passes. Designate/Educate your co-workers on where to go inside your workplace for safety until the storm passes. Conduct practice drills at home and in your workplace to ensure everyone understands where to go for safety.

Have an Evacuation Plan Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated. Lock the door behind you. Take your pets with you

Communication is Key Create a Family Communication Plan – Ask someone who lives and works out of town to be your familys emergency contact. – Have family members carry the contacts phone number(s) and address with them. – If disaster strikes your area, family members should report their locations to the contact. He/She can tell you where everyone is. Family Communication Plan information obtained from Channing-Bete Company brochure entitled, Terrorism: Living with Uncertainty.

Be Informed Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. [____________] Countys emergency services include: – [Special Needs Registry?] – [Co-location shelters?] – [Special Needs Shelters?] – [Other emergency plans?]

Disaster Public Education Websites American Red Cross Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Citizen Corps Department of Homeland Security Department of Commerce Department of Energy Department of Health and Human Services Department of Interior Department of Justice Environmental Protection Agency Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Food and Drug Administration Humane Society of the United States Institute for Business and Home Safety National Fire Protection Association National Institute of Mental Health National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Nuclear Regulatory Commission Pandemic Influenza United Animal Nations Emergency Animal Rescue Service U.S. Fire Administration U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Geological Survey US. Postal Service

Get involved! Formally: – Citizen Corps programs such as the Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Team, Neighborhood Watch, Red Cross, etc. Informally: – Watch out for your neighbors and your community!