Ready for Emergencies?
Five Simple Steps to Prepare for Disasters
By Carlo
Morelli
Taking only a few moments to plan upfront can release
you from substantial disruption if disaster strikes,
and it may even save you or a loved one’s life. Disaster
and emergency preparation is one of the most important
tasks you can do for yourself and your family.
Here are five steps you can take to measure your personal
preparedness and assemble a disaster action plan that
is adapted to your particular situation.
1. Decide meeting location. One important
part of your plan is to select a meeting spot. Choose
two or more spots. For a fire, make a plan to meet in
front of your home. In case of an emergency requiring
evacuation of your home, plan to meet at a specific
place outside of your neighborhood, for example a relative's
house, elementary school, or church. Be sure each family
member concurs on the location, and plans are in place
for how everyone will get to the meeting spot.
2. Discuss with your family about what you
would do in an emergency. If you have children,
explain what kind of disasters might strike in your
area, about the kind of dangers your family may face,
and work jointly to brainstorm solutions. The goal is
not to scare children and family members, but to openly
discuss the possible dangers they potentially face,
and to come up with an action plan that makes everyone
feel safe and prepared.
3. Know how to shut off your utility services.
Be sure each family member can turn off the gas, electricity,
and water utilities. Know how to spot danger signs as
to when a utility should be shut off. Get in touch with
your local utility providers if you have any questions.
4. Keep a disaster supply kit on-hand.
Always have bottled water stocked, in addition to non-perishable
food items. Have a central location for keeping batteries,
flashlights, and a shortwave radio. An emergency first-aid
kit should also be nearby. Refresh disaster supplies
every six months or so.
5. Establish evacuation routes. One
of the most common and dangerous of emergencies is a
house fire. Find and memorize two separate routes out
of the house, and if you can, for each room too. In
case of natural disasters, your family should familiarize
itself with two routes for evacuation out of your neighborhood.
Decide on one family contact that everyone in your family
can call in case of an emergency, for example some friend
or family member living in another town or out of state.
Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.org, where you
can read tips on home
gas leakage protection, Honda
emergency generators and other home topics.
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