September is Emergency Planning Month

No one likes to think about emergencies and disasters which is why being prepared for one can make all the difference!

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reminds us to:

Create an Emergency Supply Kit  

Make a Plan

Know the Facts

 

The American Red Cross provides a vast wealth of information about getting your family, school, workplace and community prepared for all types of disasters.  Order your First Aid Kit  

 

GET A KIT, MAKE A PLAN, BE INFORMED  

To help your children understand how and why it is necessary to prepare for a disaster, download the American Red Cross  Disaster Preparedness  coloring book here.   


 


Create an Emergency Supply Kit
Have an  Emergency Supply Kit.
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Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit*

  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
  • Local maps
    Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
  • Prescription medications and glasses
  • Infant formula and diapers
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
  • Cash or traveler's checks and change
  • Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information fromwww.ready.gov
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  • Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

*compliments of www.ready.gov

Have a Family Emergency Plan

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Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

 

Family Emergency Plan 

-It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

-Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.

-You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.

 

Emergency Information

-Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. 

-You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door.

 

Emergency Plans

You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.

 

*compliments of www.ready.gov

Be Informed

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.

 

However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.


In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.

Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.*

 

Click here for local resources and preparedness in your community.

*compliments of www.ready.gov


© Mark Stout, Image from BigStockPhoto.com

© Trishina Nina, Image from BigStockPhoto.com

                              
 


 

 


 

                                                                                                                                                  

  

 

© 2007 Safety4Kids, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Safety 4 Kids, LLC assumes no liability or responsibility for the misuse of any of the information contained herein.

© 2007 Safety4Kids, LLC®. All Rights Reserved. Safety 4 Kids, LLC assumes no liability or responsibility for the misuse of any of the information contained herein.