Why Prepare for Disaster?

Disaster can strike without warning, forcing you to go for days without basic necessities or to evacuate your home. Relief workers will be 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 - weather, flooding, tornados or other crisis - can greatly reduce the danger and distress your family may face. Being prepared can help you stay calm during a crisis and also recover afterward.

Contact the Emergency Management office or American Red Cross to learn the different ways to prepare for each disaster. Below are some ways to get started.

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 and valves in your home.
• Plan how to help elderly or disabled neighbors in a disaster.
• Check that your insurance policies are up-to-date and provide 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 a duffel bag or backpack and keep it 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, non breakable 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 good for longer 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 goods 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 garbage bags
• Change of clothing and an extra pair of shoes and socks for each person
• Blankets of sleeping bags for each person
  
  

Personal Items

• Personal identification
• 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