| HAVE A PLAN | | REHEARSE IT!
Suppose you have to get out of the house in a hurry?
Who to call if there is time?
Post emergency numbers by every phone, program them for speed dialing on portables and cell phones. 911, Police, Fire Department, Poison Control, doctors and hospitals.
Which way out?
Plan escape routes. Keep escape ladders near key windows on upper floors. Make sure family members know where to meet outside, and who takes what.
What to take?
Keep valuables and important papers, as well as emergency supplies, in one place, handy for escape.
| |
|
| |
Suppose you have to stay in the house for an extended period?
No power? Flashlights, candles, oil lamps, matches, bottled water and non-perishable foodstuffs for at least 72-hours, battery operated radio, extra batteries, portable toilet.
And? Extra toilet paper, books, paper & pens, games, playing cards. Extra supplies. (See elsewhere on this page)
| |
|
| EMERGENCY ALERTS | | |
Most, though not all, of the common natural disaster emergencies, especially those related to bad weather, carry advance warnings on radio, television, and the Internet.
- Know which radio and tv stations give reliable information. Check them periodically.
- Have a battery operated portable U.S. Emergency All-Hazards and EAS weather radio, preferable with all 7 NOAA channels and S.A.M.E. technology that allows you to pre-program 6 counties of your choice.
- Have another battery operated portable AM/FM radio pre-tuned to a reliable station.
- Check your local weather forecasts in newspapers and on the Internet. Here are a few good Internet sites:
www.nws.noaa.gov
www.weather.com
www.accuweather.com
www.cnn.com
| |
|
| VALUABLES | |
Important Information
Family Documents
Make a list of all important numbers and addresses: phone, email, license, bank accounts, credit cards, insurance policies, etc. Store together with: photo albums, contracts, deeds, policies, and any other important family records.
| |
|
| |
| FIRST AID | | |
Never mind what you have scattered around the house in your bathroom medicine cabinets and closets. Have at least one centrally located first aid kit and one in each car. Buy them ready-made or make up your own. Include at least: bandages, tape, splints, alcohol, iodine, knife, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic, pain relievers, first aid book.
| |
|
| FIRE SAFETY | |
Inside the house:
- Fire extinguishers, at least 2 on each floor. Check once a year.
- Smoke alarms in rooms and stairwells, refresh batteries often.
- Emergency smoke hoods, one per person. Make sure everyone knows where his/hers is and how to use it.
- Have an evacuation plan and supplies. (See elsewhere on this page.)
Outside the house:
- Fire extinguisher at front and back doors. Check once a year.
- Store flammables away from the house.
- Maintain an irrigated green belt of 30 feet around the perimeter. Clear away all dry brush, leaves, debris.
- Prune tree branches to 10 ft above the ground.
| |
|
| EMERGENCY SUPPLIES | | |
Keep emergency supplies together and in a protected area, preferably near an exit in case of rapid evacuation. Keep sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing near each bed. Also any personal medications.
Basic items for your emergency supplies are: water, food, first aid kit, extra clothing and bedding, other emergency supplies, special items, important information and family documents.
Water - Figure 1 gallon per person per day. More if powdered milk, soup, etc., are in your food storage.
Food - Non-perishable, require no refrigeration and little or no cooking or preparation. Meats, fruits, juices, milk, vegetables, soupsÉ all in cans or cartons. Sugar, salt, pepper, instant coffee and tea. Nutrition bars. Peanut butter, jelly, crackers. Vitamins. Snacks. Special foods for infants or elderly.
Other Emergency Supplies - Extra house & car keys, eating utensils & paper plates/cups, foil, can opener, small tools, signal flares, bleach, antibacterial soap, disinfectant, bucket with tight lid, medications.
| |
|
|
