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As I write this, it is the final day of September in 2010. I’m contemplating all of the different disasters I’ve been reading about and even seeing first-hand. There are a lot of scary possibilities in our world!  However, I, for one, prefer not to live in fear. I’m much more comfortable with the mindset of learning what I can and then doing what I can to PREpare for the unknown.

My co-host on The Organized Woman Show, Vicki Winterton, and I have recorded several shows over the past weeks concerning different aspects of Emergency Preparedness. In each of those shows, we’ve shared what we know about how to prepare your home, family and business for different types of emergencies. I’ll provide a link to each of these, if you’d like to learn more.

Click to Listen to each of these Emergency Preparedness Shows:

• Prepare Your Family Emergency Evacuation Plan
• 72-Hour Emergency Kits
• Plan and Organize Your Finances
• Preparing For Natural Disasters
• Surviving a Car Breakdown
• Survive Being Lost

The common threads of any emergency include becoming informed, making a kit and making a plan. Each of these is covered in the shows with more information below.

Earthquake Preparation: Much of the western United States sits on fault zones. During a major earthquake, there may be a roaring or rumbling sound that gets louder. The ground may feel like it is rolling and you may find it difficult to stand and move from one room to another. Preparing your home and business for earthquakes would include securing your water heater to wall studs, ensuring that glass items are stored so they would not fall and break. Many injuries during earthquakes are caused because materials collapse and heavy objects and furniture pieces fall. You can have a practice drill for an earthquake so family members know to:

1. Get under a sturdy table or desk and hold on
2. If that isn’t possible, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in a strongly supported doorway or brace yourself in an inside corner of the building.
3. Stay clear of windows or glass
4. If you’re inside, stay there

Storms and Flooding Create a personal “flood file” containing information about all your possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have:

1. A copy of your insurance policies with your agent’s contact information. For insurance purposes, be sure to keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims. For more information visit www.knowyourstuff.org.
2. Copies of all other critical documents, including finance records or receipts of major purchases.
3. Prepare your house. First make sure your sump pump is working and then install a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is accumulating in your basement.
4. Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
5. Anchor any fuel tanks.
6. Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your home’s projected flood elevation.
7. Place the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer on cement blocks at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation.
8. Move furniture, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.

Fires and Wildfires. People start most wildfires …find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety.

• Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry office for information on fire laws.
• Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
• Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
• Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
• Post fire emergency telephone numbers.
• Ensure adequate accessibility by large fire vehicles to your property.
• Plan several escape routes away from your home – by car and by foot.
• Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors’ skills such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can’t get home.

Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it. Use fire-resistant or noncombustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling, or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking, or trim with fire-retardant chemicals evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.

Your best resource for proper planning is www.firewise.org which has outstanding information used daily by residents, property owners, fire departments, community planners, builders, public policy officials, water authorities, architects and others to assure safety from fire – it really works. Firewise workshops are offered for free all across the Nation in communities large and small and free Firewise materials can be obtained easily by anyone interested.

If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.

• Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
• Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.
• Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately

• Wear protective clothing – sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a handkerchief to protect your face.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Lock your home.
• Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
• Choose a route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

If you’re sure you have time, take steps to protect your home

Inside:

• Close windows, vents, doors, blinds, or noncombustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.
• Shut off all utilities if possible, including bottled gas.
• Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
• Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors.
• Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.

Outside:

• Seal attic and ground vents with precut noncombustible coverings.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Place combustible patio furniture inside.
• Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
• Set up a portable gasoline-powered pump.
• Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near aboveground fuel tanks. Wetting the roof may help if it is shake-shingled.
• Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
• Gather fire tools.

Hurricanes or tornadoes. FEMA recommends that each family have enough supplies to last for a three day minimum. They suggest 1 gallon of water per person per day. Food items should be lightweight, easily packed and easily prepared with no electricity. Include a manual can opener.

Review your insurance policy. Some people have been through a hurricane or flood only to discover that their vehicle was ruined and not covered by insurance. Check your policy well in advance of when you need it.

When a storm or hurricane is forecast:

1. Go to the bank. If a hurricane is predicted, go to the bank. Withdraw what you can. When electricity is out so are ATMs.
2. Fill up the gas tank. Widespread power outages render gas stations useless. Avoid this by filling up your gas tank in advance of a storm.
3. Assemble any needed supplies. Be sure to include medications, diapers, formula and special toys for the kids.
4. Assemble sanitation supplies. This includes personal hygiene items and clean-up items for after the storm.

Before you leave because of a storm or hurricane:

1. Do the paperwork. When evacuating, bring important papers with you. Insurance policies, shot records, birth, marriage, divorce certificates might all be needed.
2. Turn your refrigerator to the lowest setting. This gives the food inside a better chance of surviving. If you have enough time, use what you can and freeze the rest. After more than 48 hours all food should be circumspect. Use your best judgment anytime the electricity has been off. If in doubt, throw it out.
3. Turn off the utilities. Shut off the utilities to your house. After turning off the water, flush the commode and drain the lines. Be sure that the main gas switch is turned off.
4. Care for pets. FEMA now says to take your pets with you if you leave. Take the vet and vaccination records with you. Be sure you have plenty of food and water. If you have a crate, bring it. Don’t forget food and water bowls. Photograph your pet.

If you are staying during a storm or hurricane:

1. Test your generator. Be sure that it works and that you have an adequate supply of fuel.
2. Keep your cell phone charged as long as you can.
3. Check in with family often but keep conversations short to preserve the battery. Tell family members that you are staying. Also tell them where you would go in case you have to evacuate at the last minute.
4. Fax or email a fact sheet about medications and amounts, the name of your doctor and health diagnoses to a family member that is outside of the disaster area.
5. Keep a battery or hand cranked radio tuned into to your local station.

If asked to evacuate, do so.

Resources:

FEMA

Ready.Gov

napo.net