Family Preparedness

After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it may be days, depending upon the magnitude and kind of disastrous event. Is your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives? Your family will cope best by being preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supply Kit and by making a Family Disaster Plan. Once that a disaster strikes, you don’t have time to shop or to search for supplies. If you’ve gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement. Disasters can happen anywhere and at any time. A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant evacuation or the need to shelter-in-place. A winter storm could confine your family at home. A flood or tornado could cut off basic services such as gas, water, electricity or telephones for days.

Gather the supplies listed below to assemble a disaster supply kit:

Water-Store water in plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles or water cans that are available at department stores or camping supply stores. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. It is suggested to have a minimum of 3 gallons of water per person in the household, per day.

Food-Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight

.

A first aid kit for your home and one for your car.

Prescription Drugs (always ask your doctor or pharmacist about storing prescription medications), an extra pair of eyeglasses and a basic first aid manual.

The following supplies: a mess kit, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, an emergency preparedness manual, battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries, cash or travelers checks, and change; a non-electric can opener, utility knife, a fire extinguisher, a tube tent, pliers, tape, compass, matches in a waterproof container, aluminum foil, plastic storage containers, a signal flare, paper and a pencil, needles and thread, a medicine dropper, a shut-off wrench to turn off household gas and water; a whistle, maps of the area, toilet paper and towelettes, soap, liquid detergent, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, plastic garbage bags and ties (for personal sanitation uses), a plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, and household chlorine bleach; at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person, blankets or sleeping bags, games or books, baby items if you have a baby in your home, special needs of the elderly or disabled persons in your home; a copy of your important documents in a waterproof container. These should include copies of your will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and companies, an inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone numbers, and family records such as marriage and birth certificates. Additionally, you should keep a backed up copy of your computer files in your kit. Put all of your supplies into a waterproof container that is either on wheels or can be easily carried. Be sure that your kit will fit, along with all of your family members, in your vehicle!

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car and at your job site. Keep all items in air-tight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Rotate your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs as least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothing, etc.

Prepare you Family Disaster Plan: Pick two meeting places. One a safe distance from your home in case of fire. The second a place outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Choose an out-of-state friend or family member as “check in contact” for everyone to call.

Post emergency numbers beside every telephone in your home. Show a responsible family member how and when to shut off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms and test monthly and change the batteries twice a year. Learn about fire safety. Learn CPR and First Aid. Know the risks of your neighborhood and how to protect yourself, your family and your property from those risks. Remember to practice and maintain your plan.

For a “Fill In The Blank” Family Disaster Plan for Jefferson County, WV, Click Here.

Have your family members trained in CPR and Basic First Aid. Contact your local Red Cross Chapter for information on training at 304-725-5015.

Learn to Shelter-In-Place

If you would like to have additional information about Family Disaster Supply Kits, Making a Family Disaster Plan, Sheltering In Place, or if you would like to have a speaker at the next meeting of your group or organization, contact us.

You can download a copy of Are You Ready? by going to www.fema.gov.

You can download a copy of Getting Ready by going to www.state.wv.us