Disaster Prevention Safety Emergency Planning Before an emergency occurs, consider what steps will be important to safeguard your family and loved ones. Meet with your family to discuss the plan and practice it. Keep the plan simple so all family members can remember the important points.
1. Anticipate Difficulties and Inconveniences - Create plans to anticipate situations in order to be able to make informed decisions during a crisis. Physical and emotional stresses may cloud decision-making skills.
2. Determine Your Evacuation Plan - Know the evacuation routes leading away from your community. Plan an alternative place where family members agree to meet in the event you cannot meet at home, and determine alternative modes of travel if transportation is disrupted. Remember; follow the advice of authorities about evacuation - they do not ask people to leave unless they believe lives are in danger.
3. Memorize Emergency Contacts - Be sure each family member knows whom to contact - perhaps a friend or relative out-of-state - in the event local communications are impaired. Discuss any of your family's medical needs with someone out-of-town and in the immediate neighborhood. Make a list of insurance, banking, medical and other essential telephone numbers and account information and give it to a trusted family member. Consider including a spare charge card or ATM card with the list, so that you can access money in an emergency or they can access it for you.
4. Develop a Plan at Work - Talk with co-workers to develop an internal emergency plan. Remember to include in your plan to assign specific responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
5. Plan how to Communicate in an Emergency - Keep everyone's work, home, school, and cellular numbers updated and share them with everyone in the family. Remember that often in an emergency, cellular phones may not work because the systems are over-loaded. Because communications are difficult in an emergency, it makes sense to plan a family/friend “tree”, so you only need to make one or two calls, then others make designated calls on your behalf from there.
6. Keep a Battery-Operated Radio - In the event of an emergency, you will want a battery-operated radio in order to listen to what local law enforcement and emergency management authorities are telling the community.
7. Strengthen Personal Fitness - Be prepared for the physical requirements of dealing with circumstances outside your daily routine. Being healthy and alert can mean life or death.
8. Prepare Family Members, Especially Children - Reassure children that adults will take care of them in the event of a disaster. Knowing there is a plan will minimize fear. Also consider the needs of older family members and close friends who live near you and involve them in your emergency plan and help them develop their own. Be aware of their medical needs and any immobility issues and help them craft solutions to potential problems ahead of time.
9. Plan for your Pets - Plan where you will take your pets in the event you will stay at a hotel or other public place where pets are not allowed. Store leashes and pet carriers where they can be easily retrieved. Consider placing a bottle of water inside a carrier so your pet will have a temporary water supply close at hand if you have to quickly leave.
10. Maintain a Disaster Supplies Kit - Both natural and human-made disasters can create a need to be self-sufficient for a short period until help arrives.
Family Disaster Plan
The following information is taken from publication #L-191 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), developed in cooperation with the American Red Cross.
Your Family Disaster Plan
Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere - at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe?
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services-water, gas, electricity or telephones-were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.
Families can and do cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create your family's disaster plan. Knowing what to do in advance is your best protection and your responsibility.
4 STEPS TO SAFETY
1. Find out what could happen to you. Contact your local emergency management or civic defense office and American Red Cross chapter--be prepared to take notes:
> Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.
> Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
> Ask about animal care after disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
> Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
> Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.
2. Create a Disaster Plan - Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquake to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
> Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
> Pick two places to meet:
1. Outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
> Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
> Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete This Checklist
> Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.)
> Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
> Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
> Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
> Make sure the adults in your home know how and when to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
> Install smoke alarms on each level of your home especially in or near all sleeping areas.
> Conduct a home hazard hunt.
> Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
> Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
> Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out (usually a door and a window) of each room.
> Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
> Quiz your kids every six months to see if they remember what to do.
> Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
> Replace stored water every three months and stored food every three months.
> Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
> Test your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year, or when the alarm "chirps" signaling that the batteries are running low.
Change batteries in _____________ each year.
If Disaster Strikes:
> Remain calm and patient. Put your plan to action.
> Check for injuries
> Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
> Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions
> Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
> Check for damage in your home.
>> Use flashlights -- do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
>> Check for fire hazards and other household hazards.
>> Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
>> Shut off any other damaged utilities.
>> Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.
Remember to:
> Confine or secure your pets.
> Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
> Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
> Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
> Stay away from downed power lines.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program and the American Red Cross' Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to help citizens prepare for disasters of all types. For more information on preparing your home and family for disasters, call your local Red Cross or visit the web sites at http://www.redcross.org/ or http://www.fema.gov/.
Flood Safety
Floods are one of the most frequent and costly natural disasters - many of which fall on the heels of other disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Rushing waters and debris contribute to most of the damage caused by flooding.
"Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters that many homeowners face," said Rocky Lopes, Home Safety Council board member and manager of community disaster education for the American Red Cross. "Preparedness is the key to ensure your property - and your family - stays intact."
Homeowners are urged to take the following precautions this severe weather season: Before a Flood
> Develop a family disaster plan. Plan where you would go for safety if a flood required you to leave your home. Involve all family members in this planning process.
> Create a disaster supplies kit.
> Protect home heating, water and electricity systems in your home - Have your furnace, water heater and electric panel raised to higher floors or the attic by a professional if these utility systems are in a flood-prone area of the home, like the basement.
> Listen to the radio or television for updated emergency information - Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio or a portable, battery-powered radio to get updated flood information.
> Have a professional install check valves in building sewer traps - Floodwater can get backed up into the drains of your home. As a last resort, use large corks or stoppers to plug showers, tubs and basins.
> Fill your bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with clean water - Severe floods may interrupt utility services such as water. When floods threaten, it's best to keep drains corked, but be sure to fill sinks and tubs with fresh water first.
How To Prepare for Severe Storms and Hurricanes
When a hurricane threatens, your primary concern is for the safety of your family. But your house is important too, and even though you may be evacuating the area, your home requires whatever forms of protection you can provide. The key is to make plans and provisions to protect your home long before a hurricane becomes anything more than an unpleasant possibility. This way, when a storm does threaten, you can concentrate on the safety of your family and know that you've done your best to protect your home.
Before the Storm: What Can You Do To Protect Your Home?
Hurricanes pose both wind and flood damage potential, but there are things you can do to greatly reduce the impact on your home. One of your main goals is to prevent the wind from damaging the home in such a way that allows water to enter and do further damage. Make sure your doors and windows are secure. Wind inside your home will push upward against the roof and try to lift it, while winds outside create a suction pressure, almost doubling the roof's load.
Despite the best attempts at protecting your home, however, damage may still occur. Take a look at your insurance policies to make sure you're adequately covered. Keep lists or video tapes of your belongings as documentation for the insurance company.
Prepare Your Roof
> If you have an exterior television antenna, you may want to disconnect and remove it.
> Remove roof turbines and cover the holes where they were installed. Otherwise, high winds could remove them for you, leaving a gaping hole through which heavy rain could come into your home to do damage.
> Check for loose or damaged shingles, and seal around flashings, chimneys or vent pipes if necessary. A roof in good repair is much better able to stand the torture inflicted upon it by a storm. For more on roof repair, visit How to Repair Shingled Roofing.
> Check for loose and clogged gutters and downspouts. Backed-up gutters can send water flowing into your home in the event of heavy rains. For detailed information, see How To Maintain Your Gutters.
> If your roof is damaged in a storm, use tarps secured with ropes and nails to cover it as soon as you can. Heavy rains usually occur during and after a hurricane, and water can cause devastating damage to the interior of your home. Any step you can take to minimize water damage will help.
Cover Those Windows
If you live in an area vulnerable to hurricanes, consider installing storm shutters. They are available in several different types, and will go a long way toward keeping the damaging wind and rain from entering through your home's windows. As a side benefit, they may reduce your home insurance premium.
Secure The Doors
Steel entry doors provide the best protection for your home. Double doors and French doors are most vulnerable to high winds. But no matter what type of door you've got, a hurricane panel is your best option to keep damage at a minimum. These galvanized steel or PVC panels are available at Lowe's. You can also nail plywood over your doors for protection and to help keep out water and debris.
If you have double doors that have no structural member in the center between them, you may need to purchase and install special hardware to more adequately secure the doors where they meet. Bolts which secure the door into the framing at both the top and bottom greatly increase the door's strength. Wedge sliding glass doors with a dowel or piece of broom handle to prevent them from jumping their tracks when the wind howls.
Provide stiffening support for garage doors. The pressure from winds increases with the door's size, and wide doors particularly need bracing for stability during high winds. Make your own vertical supports by nailing two 2x4s together and attaching them vertically to the inside of your garage door with "L" brackets. Use as many as you feel are necessary to support your door.
Button Up the Yard
Flailing tree limbs may pose a danger in high winds. Trim trees to avoid the possibility of large limbs doing damage to your house. Also, selectively thinning out the branches to allow wind to more easily pass through and will reduce the potential for damage to the tree itself. Dead or damaged branches should be removed, otherwise they could become flying missiles aimed straight for your house or that of your neighbors.
Lawn furniture, ornaments, toys, grills and exterior potted plants should be taken inside. Anything that can't be brought in should be tied down. Sheds, doghouses, playhouses, swing sets, and boat trailers should be secured with tie-downs, turnbuckles and cable or stout rope. Concrete tie-down spaces are a good home improvement in areas susceptible to hurricanes. If you don't have concrete mounted tie-downs when the weather threatens, screw type tie-downs secured deep in the ground must suffice.
If you live in a mobile home it is particularly important that you inspect and repair your home's tie-downs.
Cars, Trucks & Boats
If you live in a low-lying area, move your car, truck or boat to higher ground, preferably to an enclosed garage or warehouse.
If you must leave a boat behind, don't leave it in the water. If the boat's left outside, anchor the trailer tongue of a trailered boat to a firm spot on the ground. Lash the boat to the trailer; let some air out of the tires. Add water for weight, but make sure you keep it below engine level. Stow all loose gear (outriggers, canvas tops, etc.) and remove electronics and other valuables to avoid damage and theft. Cover the boat to keep additional water and debris out.
Protect Your Family, Too!
The No. 1 rule: Get every member of your household involved. Set aside time for a family meeting to discuss the following:
> An Evacuation Package: We're talking keepsakes here - personal items you'd hate to lose, things insurance could never replace. Examples: your children's baby books and photos, an heirloom quilt. Place them in a water and fire proof container. Include important family documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies. Make sure everyone knows where the package is kept and assign a family member responsibility for it in case you need to evacuate.
> Safety Kit: Put together a safety kit. Include a first aid kit and essential medications, a fire extinguisher, packaged or canned non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener, water (no more than 6 months old - mark the date) in a non-breakable container, protective clothing, rainwear and blankets. Make sure everyone in the household knows where this kit is kept.
> Emergency Contact: Pick someone to call (a friend or family member out of state) in case a hurricane hits or you need to evacuate. This contact can be the person who lets others know where you are and that you're safe so you won't have to spend precious time doing so.
Hurricane Safety
The Atlantic hurricane season begins in June and lasts through the end of November. There are simple steps families can take before and after a storm that will go a long way toward increased hurricane safety. By following these hurricane preparedness guidelines, you can increase your family’s safety as well as the stability and security of your home. > If you live in a coastal area, install hurricane shutters to protect windows and doors from powerful winds.
> Remove dead and diseased trees and branches. Weak trees and branches are easily broken off by hurricane winds and may damage a home.
> Identify items in the yard that should be brought inside in case of a hurricane. Items such as lawn furniture and trash cans may become airborne during a severe storm.
> If in a coastal community, elevate the home. This can help minimize the damage to property because of floods and storm surges.
> Hurricanes bring intense rainfall. Keep rain gutters, outside stairwells, window wells, drain lines and down sprouts clean to prevent flooding.
> Ask an insurance agent or local emergency management office for information about the National Flood Insurance Program. Regular homeowner policies do not cover damage from flooding that may result from a hurricane.
> Every family should have a disaster plan which helps avoid or lessen the impact of a natural disaster. Use Home Safety Council guidelines to develop a family emergency plan and create a disaster supply kit.
> During a storm, gather your family in the safest area of your home, an interior room without windows, usually on the first floor of the house or building.
> Always follow official instructions before, during and after a hurricane. If evacuation was necessary, do not return home until authorities say to do so.
> After returning home, stay away from all storm damaged areas. |
