EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Albert E. Sindlinger
http://members.tripod.com/~Sidlinger/

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 1

Schedule quarterly family conferences to discuss prodedures to follow in different kinds of emergencies.
Hold practice drills.
Post and memorize emergency telephone numbers.

Assemble and store a survival kit containing:

• Flashlights and portable radio with extra batteries.
• First Aid Kit with manual.
• Crescent and pipe wrenches for turning off utilities.
• Emergency food and beverage, 3-day supply (nonperishable food, juices, and one gallon of water per person per day).
• Chlorine bleach for water purification.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Spare eyeglasses, prescribed medications, baby food, pet food, and special dietary foods.
• Manual can opener.
• Sanitation supplies; large plastic trash bags, soap, toothbrush and paste, feminine supplies, infant care items, toilet paper, newspaper
  and a camp shovel.
• Camping equipment; blankets, sleeping and cooking gear.
• Complete change of clothes for each person in the family.
  
  Learn First Aid.

Establish a location for the family to reunite if members become separated.
Arrange for a friend or relative in another town to be a communication contact for the extended family.
Learn the emergency plan of the family's school, day care centers, workplaces, and clubs.
Make a habit of tuning in to daily weather forecasts and be aware of changing conditions. The Emergency Broadcast System on commercial
radio and TV stations will announce a WATCH if an emergency situation is expected and a WARNING if it is imminent or in progress.

Learn Emergency Food and Water Procedures.
Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for up to five days.
Take emergency drinking water from melting ice cubes, toilet tanks (not bowls) water heater, and canned fruits and vegetables.
Don't drink municipal tap water, or water from any questionable sources, until it has been strained with a clean cloth and treated. To
treat water add 10 drops of chlorine bleach to each gallon of water, mix well, and let stand for about 30 minutes.
Freezer foods will last from 48-to 72-hours if the freezer is full and the door always stays closed.
Discard all open food and beverages that could be contaminated.
Eat perishable foods first. Cook on portable grills, only outdoors.
Determine an evacuation route and with alternatives.
Find out where main utility switches are and learn how to turn them off if they rupture and trained technicians aren't available.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 2

When a disaster strikes it is usually sudden and swift. The key to survival is preparation. There are steps you can take to protect yourselves and help
cope with disaster if you plan ahead. Using this checklist will assist in the planning and preparation. Use these ideas and prepare a personal
emergency plan that is suited to your area. Make the plan visible and known to all family members. If you need additional information contact your
local fire department, American Red Cross, or local emergency management offices.

GET EDUCATED AND INFORMED

Find out which disasters could happen in your area.
Learn how to prepare for each disaster.
Learn how the local warning system works for emergencies in your area. If necessary, create your own.
Learn the escape and evacuation routes in your community.
Learn the emergency plans of the school districts, day care centers, and your place of employment.

CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN

Meet and discuss with your family the dangers of fire, crime, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
Discuss appropriate action and response to each type of disaster that could occur in your area.
Teach the children how to dial 911 for the police and fire.
Make sure emergency numbers are posted near the telephone.
Make sure to teach children how to make long distance phone calls.
Select one local and one out of state contact for family members to call if separated by a disaster. Often it is easier to call out of state than
locally when a disaster strikes.
Draw out a floor plan of your house. Mark at least 2 escape routes from each room and make known.
Learn how to turn off the main switches for electricity, water, and gas.
All family members should be aware of the local radio station for emergency broadcast information.
Select two meeting places. One near your home in case of fire and a second place outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return
home after a disaster.
Learn basic first aid. Take a CPR class and stay current. Include all family members in this.
Keep important papers and records in a water and fireproof container.
Check and see if you have enough and adequate insurance coverage. If not, get insured.

PREPARE A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
Put together supplies needed in the event of an evacuation and store in an easy-to-carry bag or pack:

Have a supply of one gallon of water per person per day. Store and change water every three months.
A supply of nonperishable food and hand can opener.
A change of clothing, rain gear and some sturdy shoes.
Sleeping bags, space blanket, and blankets.
A first aid kit and any prescriptions medications.
An extra pair of glasses.
A battery or solar powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
Cash, coin, credit cards and an extra set of car keys.
A list for family doctors, important information, serial numbers of important property.
Special items for infants, elderly of disabled family members