specific tips on getting organized and being prepared in case of
any type of disasterCreate a Safety Plan (“Disaster Plan”)
for your home, work/school/daycare, and
other
locations where you and/or your family might be at
various times of the day and night.
1. Determine which types of disasters are most
likely to happen – for example,
storms, flood, hazardous materials, fire, home
accidents, etc. Learn the 5 stages of the
“threat conditions index”: green, low; blue,
guarded; yellow, elevated; orange, high;
red, severe. Learn your community’s warning system
and what to do when the
warning system is activated. Determine what to do in
case of each type of disaster .
2. Determine the special needs and care necessary
for children, elderly, disabled
and other vulnerable persons.
3. Select two “back-up” places to move if your home
is uninhabitable
1) Immediately outside your home in case of a
sudden emergency (e.g., fire)
2) Outside your neighborhood in the event you
cannot return to your home
4. Designate an out-of-state friend or family member
to be the family contact. After
a disaster, it might be easier to make a
long-distance call and coordinate if family
members have been separated. (It’s helpful to
designate someone outside your
immediate calling area since this will decrease the
odds that they are affected by the
same situation with which you are dealing.) Make
sure each member of the family
carries with them the name, address, phone number,
cell phone and e- mail of this
designated family contact person.
5. Provide safety/shelter for your pets (be
aware that animals may not be allowed at
shelter locations due to health regulations, so have
an alternate plan ready for pets).
6. Create “disaster survival kits” for 3 days of
being confined to your home,
office/school/daycare and vehicle.
(See “Recommended Emergency
Supplies”
checklist on following page.)
7. Periodically discuss and practice the evacuation
plan (at least twice a year).
Checklist for Getting Prepared
1. Post emergency phone numbers by the phone –
fire, police, ambulance – in
many
areas, one call to 9-1-1 will suffice, but in some
rural areas, 9-1-1 is not available.
2. Make sure each person in the household has a list
of emergency and special
family phone numbers that he/she can keep in a
billfold or purse.
3. Teach children how and when to utilize 9-1-1 or
other emergency numbers.
4. Teach each family member how and when to turn off
the water, gas and
electricity at the main switches.
5. Purchase a fire extinguisher (ABC type, minimum
5-lb.) and teach each family
member how to use it.
6. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on
each level of your home. Be sure
to change batteries regularly – e.g., in Spring and
Fall, when Daylight Savings Time
begins or ends.
7. Conduct a “hazard hunt” in your home.
8. Assemble a disaster supply kit and stock
emergency supplies. Be prepared in case
you are stranded at home, school, work, or in your
vehicle.
9. Determine escape routes from your home, school or
workplace.
10. Determine safe spots in your home for each type
of emergency.
Recommended Emergency Supplies
1. A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person
per day)
2. Food that won’t spoil
a. Ready-to-eat meats, fruits, vegetables
b. Canned juices, soup
c. High-energy food (peanut butter, jelly, granola
bars, trail mix)
d. Vitamins
e. Special foods for infants (baby formula, etc.),
elderly, people with special dietary
needs
3. One change of clothing and footwear per person;
blankets; sleeping bags
4. Special-needs items for elderly, disabled,
infants or other vulnerable persons
5. Extra pair of eyeglasses
6. First Aid kit, including prescription medications
a. General first-aid supplies
b. Prescription and non-prescription drugs
(antacids, anti-diarrhea, laxatives)
7. Emergency tools and materials
a. Adjustable wrench
b. Battery-powered radio- flashlight; extra
batteries
c. Blankets
d. Can opener
e. Duct tape, plastic sheeting to seal off doors and
windows
f. Fire extinguisher - ABC fire extinguisher
g. Matches in waterproof containers
h. Phone - cell phone and/or prepaid phone cards
i. Phone - change for pay phone
(if available and in service)
j. Phone - hard-wired phone (“land line” not
cordless) – good if electricity is not out
k. Pliers
l. Utility knife
m. Whistle
8. Extra set of car keys; cash or traveler’s checks;
extra set of important
documents in waterproof container (driver’s
license or other photo ID, passport,
social security card, will, bank account and credit
card information, birth certificates,
homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy
information)
9. Sanitation supplies
a. Toilet paper f. Garbage bags
b. Soap g. Bucket with a lid
c. Pre-moistened towelettes h. Disinfectant
d. Feminine hygiene supplies
e. Personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste)
f. Disinfectant
Practice and Maintain Your Plan
1. Quiz family members on the plan –
the more the plan becomes “second
nature” to
your family, the more likely that people will react
well in an emergency.
2. Conduct practice drills (at least twice a
year, preferably more frequently).
3. Rotate stored water and food – water every 3
months and food every 6 months.
4. Check your fire extinguisher – get it
recharged if necessary.
5. Test smoke and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors
monthly.
6. Change smoke and CO detector batteries in Spring
and Fall.
How Individuals and Communities Can Get Involved
There are many opportunities for community
involvement:
? Participate
in Neighborhood-development programs (e.g., Neighborhood
Watch, Community Caring Conference, etc.)
? Join your
local Citizen Corps Council
? Take basic
first-aid and CPR training classes
- American Red Cross (309-743-
2166)
?
? Take CERT
(Community Emergency Response Team) training – coordinated
through the Palatine Emergency
Management Agency. Contact Us
for more information.
? ?? Volunteer
to Staff display booths, distribute preparedness information, assist
with recruitment of volunteers . . . and many more activities
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