NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH: Creating an Emergency Plan
To start, here's a quick checklist of things you need to CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN:
KNOW WHICH TYPES OF DISASTERS AFFECT YOUR AREA
Does your area get affected by hurricanes? Tornadoes? Wildfires? Learn when these "seasons" start, so you can start preparing for them ahead of time. Eastern Pacific hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30, and Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. Wildfire season typically runs from May through October.
Ready.gov (@fema) is an excellent resource for learning about the different disasters that can occur, and how to best prepare for them.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE RECEIVING EMERGENCY ALERTS
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are one of the ways public safety officials can quickly and effectively alert the public to serious emergencies. These include state and local alerts for disasters, public safety, AMBER alerts, and Presidential messages.
These alerts sent to everyone's phones automatically, and they're meant to be LOUD and attention-grabbing. Older phones may not be WEA capable, so make sure to check with your carrier to enable this feature.
When disasters strike, make sure your phones and electronics are fully charged to stay connected and up-to-date on the news.
Are you staying at home? Heading to a mass care shelter? Sheltering in place at school/work? There may be situations when it's best to stay put and avoid uncertainty outside.
If you're staying home, make sure you have enough water and food for your family in case you'll need to stay in for extended periods. A home backup generator like our DuroMax XP15000HXT can run on gasoline, propane or natural gas, and will power all of your lights and household appliances and charge your cellphones during a power outage, keeping your family safe, comfortable, and connected.
HAVE A SHELTER PLAN
Check with local officials to see what shelter spaces are available in case of emergencies. Even though mass care shelters provide supplies and services, you should plan on taking your own Emergency Supply Kit.
LEARN YOUR EVACUATION ROUTE
Familiarize yourself with alternate routes in your area. Identify several places you can go to in case of emergencies, and check with local officials to see what community shelters are available. Have a family plan to stay in touch and go to a meeting place, in case you get separated.
Always have your emergency kit ready and full tank of gas in your car, because some situations might call for an immediate evacuation.
REVIEW YOUR FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN
Disasters can strike at any time - they could happen while you're at work and while the kids are in school. Have a paper copy of everyone's contact information in their bags/wallets. Familiarize yourself with the emergency plans your family members' workplaces, schools, and daycare, and make sure you're signed up for alerts for each place. If possible, plan on having a safe and familiar meeting place to reunite.
With kids, it's important to keep PRACTICING what they need to do during an emergency. Have them MEMORIZE important information such as their family members' names and phone numbers - even very young children can do this through rhymes or songs.
UPDATE YOUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KIT
Assemble a basic emergency supply bag that you can grab quickly or keep in your case of a disaster. Ready.gov (@fema) recommends the following items:
•3-day supply of food and water
•Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
•Battery-powered/hand-crank radio
•Flashlight
•First aid kit
•Extra batteries
•Whistle (to signal for help)
•Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
•Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
•Local maps
•Items based on individual needs such as prescription medication, infant formula, eyeglasses, etc.
Make sure the kit is kept in a designated place, and that all family members know where it is. Replace expired items, and re-think your family's needs every year.
What are some of your tips for creating an emergency plan? Share them with us!
