Disaster Preparedness, Links

There’s a reason April is Disaster Preparedness Month: hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, drought, wildfires, disease outbreaks. Are you ready for the unexpected?

Check your local tribal website for emergency planning and disaster information. The websites gathered below help you prepare for many threats you might face, beginning with how to put together that basic emergency kit every family should have in their home and car.

Buy your food, water and other essentials for your disaster kit such as batteries, in bulk to save money. Look for two-for-one deals and stick to generic brands. Make a family plan in case of an emergency including where to meet, who will be in charge of taking care of children, Elders and special needs family members.

News that a disaster is on its way can cause any family to worry. Instead, focus on your strengths and abilities. By planning now, you know you’ve taken the necessary steps to make sure your family is ready.

BASIC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

Create a Family Disaster Plan – Meet with your family and,

Discuss the types of disasters that could occur
Explain how to prepare and respond
Discuss what to do if advised to evacuate
Discuss what to do with pets – Red Cross does not allow pets in their shelters
Practice whatever you have discussed

Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by a disaster.

Pick two meeting places:

1. A location a safe distance from your home in case of fire

2. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home

Choose an out of state friend or relative as a “check in contact” for everyone to call.

Complete these steps.

Post emergency numbers by every phone
Show responsible family members how and when to shut off the water, gas and electricity at main switches
Install a smoke detector on every level of your home. Test monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year
Learn first aid and CPR
Meet with your neighbors and plan how you could work together after a disaster
Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home
Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons

Individual/Family Disaster Supply Kits

WATER – A normally active person requires a minimum of 2 quarts of water per day. Hot environment or intensely stressful activities can double that amount. Nursing mothers, children and ill people will need more. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day in plastic bottles such as soft drink bottles. DO NOT use plastic milk cartons or glass containers that will break.

FOOD – Store at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food per person. Food should require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you need to heat food, pack a can of sterno. Food items should be compact and lightweight. Suggestions include:

Ready to eat canned meat, fruits and vegetables, canned juices, milk and soup; staples like sugar, salt and pepper
High energy foods; peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Vitamins
Food for infants, elderly persons, or those on special diets, if appropriate
Comfort/stress food; cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
Prepackaged foods such as MREs
Non-electric can opener
Keep a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit in your car
Keep a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit in your home
Consider keeping a kit near your desk at work

FIRST AID KIT – You should assemble a standard first aid kit for your home, for each individual 72 hour disaster preparedness kit and for each vehicle. These can be put together at home or purchased.

TOOLS and SUPPLIES – Flashlight and extra batteries, battery operated radio and extra batteries, shut off wrench for household gas and water, pliers, sanitation and personal hygiene supplies, small sewing kit, fire extinguisher, whistle, paper and pencil.

CLOTHING and BEDDING – Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person, sturdy shoes or work boots, rain gear/thermal underwear, blankets and/or sleeping bag, hat and gloves, sunglasses.

PERSONAL VEHICLE – Gas tank full, tool box (which includes tow cable and jumper cables), extra oil and anti-freeze, emergency flares and distress flag/signal, flashlight and extra batteries, portable radio with extra batteries, traction devices, bag of sand and shovel, windshield scraper and brush, first aid kit with necessary prescriptions, blanket or sleeping bag, bottled water, canned fruit/nuts and non-electric can opener.

SPECIAL ITEMS – Remember family members with special needs such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Pack their kits accordingly. Include diapers and formula, or prescription medications. Keep important documents in a waterproof container. These documents might include insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, wills, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account and credit card numbers, company contracts, an inventory of household goods, birth, marriage and death certificates, important telephone numbers, and copies of prescriptions. Have traveler’s checks, cash and change on hand. Extra medication, spare eyeglasses and anything else you think you might need.

This is your personal preparedness kit. Customize it to meet your individual needs. Don’t forget to plan for your pets, too! Review kit contents every three to six months and update as needed. Rotate water, food, and medical supplies. Update important papers and emergency contact numbers.

How to prepare for specific hazards:

Fire or Wildfire

Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

Terrorism

Thunderstorm