January - (Make a
Plan)
Understand what puts you at risk from disasters and
take steps to lower your risk.
a)Plan what to do if you have to evacuate
b)Take steps now to prevent damage to your home in a disaster
c)Learn what disasters can happen in your area and decide what you will do in a disaster.
a)Plan what to do if you have to evacuate
b)Take steps now to prevent damage to your home in a disaster
c)Learn what disasters can happen in your area and decide what you will do in a disaster.
Disasters
change things. When an emergency happens you may have to decide what to do very
quickly, while you are worrying about what might happen. By planning ahead, it
will be easier to make the right decisions when the worst happens.
February - (Water)
Have 72 hours (3 days) worth of water stored for your
household
a)Purchase and store a 72-hour supply of commercially bottled water (or more - up to two weeks).
b)Bottle a 72-hour supply of water at home
c)Learn how to provide a safe supply of drinking water for your household in a disaster
a)Purchase and store a 72-hour supply of commercially bottled water (or more - up to two weeks).
b)Bottle a 72-hour supply of water at home
c)Learn how to provide a safe supply of drinking water for your household in a disaster
Whether
you get water from a municipal water system or your home has a private well,
your water supply depends on having power to operate the system. During a power
outage—or any disaster that can cause a power outage, such as high winds, ice
storm, or flood—you may find yourself without drinkable water.
March: Sheltering
Know how to respond safely when instructions are given
to evacuate or take shelter.
In
a disaster you may be asked to either evacuate or shelter-in-place. In the
excitement of an emergency, it can be difficult to focus on what you are doing.
Know what to do to keep your family safe. Practice your tornado and fire safety
plans. If your family has practiced, they will be more comfortable doing it
when the emergency actually happens.
April: Food
Have an emergency food supply that will meet the needs
of your household for three days without outside help.
An
emergency food supply doesn’t have to sit on a shelf, ready for disaster to
strike (although it can). It can be part of the food you use every day. The key
to a good food storage plan is to buy ahead of time. Replace items before they
run out. Buy items when they are on sale. A large duffle bag or plastic tub
with a lid makes a great storage place for an emergency food supply. Make sure
your family, including pets, will have what they need when disaster strikes.
May: Work, School & Community
Make sure the people who count on you are prepared for
a disaster.
Disasters
can happen at any time. If you are away from home do you know where to find
safe shelter locations? Do you know what the emergency procedures are for your
child’s school or for your workplace? Will people who count on you know what to
do if you can’t reach them? Know how to make sure you and your loved ones are
safe in a disaster, no matter where you are.
June: Unique Family Needs
Be aware of and prepare for your family’s unique
needs.
If
you or someone in your household has a disability, create an evacuation plan
that works for them.
Every
household is different. Is there an infant or young child in your home? Does
someone in your family have a medical condition that requires medication? Do
you have a pet? Before disaster strikes, talk to your family about your
household’s unique needs. Make a list of special items you may need in a
disaster.
July: Family Communication Plan
Have the ability to communicate with family members
during a disaster.
Today
we have more ways to speak with one another than ever before. We are used to
staying in touch with cell phones, internet, and email, but disasters can
change things. These devices may not be available. Cell phone towers quickly
become overloaded with people trying to reach friends and family. If the power
is out at your home, cordless phones, internet, and email will not work either.
August: Get Involved
Make your community stronger by getting trained and
getting involved.
It takes more than police,
fire and EMS to respond to a disaster. It takes people who are committed to
neighborhoods, churches, schools and volunteer organizations. When people are
willing to work together for the good of others, communities are stronger.
People who are involved
are the key to a disaster resilient community. They are willing and able to
look out for themselves and others. A resilient community is one that can
withstand a disaster and get back to normal quickly (even if normal isn’t the
same as it was before).
Remember,
community preparedness starts at home. If you know that your family is prepared
at home, you will be better able to help others in your community.
September: Be Informed
Make sure everyone in your household can receive,
understand, and act on information received in an emergency.
Getting correct information
during an emergency is the key to taking safe action. Someone in your household
may not be able to receive, understand, or act on emergency information. Think
about what special needs your household may have. Take action now to make sure
everyone in your family will be safe in an emergency.
October: Power
Be able to safely meet your basic needs during an
electrical outage.
We count on electricity for heat, food, and medical
needs. Many gas appliances even need electricity to run. A power outage is an
emergency that often follows another emergency—like a hurricane, tornado, or
winter storm. That makes it even more important to be prepared in advance.
Power Outage Safety
Discard food if the temperature in your refrigerator
exceeds 40 degrees for more than 2 hours.
Stay away from downed power lines and anything they touch
such as fences or buildings.
Never drive over downed power lines; they may be
energized.
Never use charcoal or gas grills inside a structure. Carbon
monoxide can overcome you.
If you must use candles, be sure
to use them safely. Never leave candles burning unattended.
November: Emergency
Supplies
Remember important items that may be overlooked when
leaving your home in a disaster.
Any emergency is easier to handle when you have prepared
ahead of time. Put together an emergency kit with important items to keep at
home, and a go bag with items you will need to take with you if you evacuate.
Think about what you and your family would need in a disaster. You can make
kits for your home, car or workplace. Emergencies can happen anywhere.
When severe weather is
predicted, make sure your car has a full tank of gas. You don’t want to wait in
line for gas if you are told to evacuate. Some storms may also knock out
electricity, causing gas stations to close.
December: First Aid
Be prepared to give first aid while waiting for an
ambulance.
An emergency can happen at any
time and any place. Many public places have a first aid kit, oxygen, or an AED
(automated external defibrillator) to treat people. These items can only save
lives if someone knows how to use them. Actions you take in the first few
minutes after an injury or other medical incident may save someone’s life.