Are you prepared? Whether it be a natural disaster or a pandemic you need to be prepared. This means that as individuals, businesses and communities we must be ready to take action and prepare for emergencies. Be prepared by assembling an emergency supply kit, making emergency plans, staying informed, and getting involved. Review these frequently asked questions and follow the steps to get your family prepared:
What should be included in an emergency supply kit?
How is a family emergency plan created?
How can you stay informed during an emergency?
How can you get involved in the community during and after an emergency?
What should be included in an emergency supply kit?
In a basic emergency supply kit for the home, car or workplace, the following items are recommended:
- One gallon of fluids such as water, canned juices, sports drinks, etc. per person per day, for three days – remember to include enough for your pets, too
- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water and choose foods your family will eat: ready-to-eat canned meats, peanut butter, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola. Also pack a manual can opener and eating utensils
- Nonprescription drugs such as aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, diarrhea medication, antacid, vitamins
- 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
- Local maps
Individual should also think about the special needs of family members:
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food, extra water for your pet, leash and collar
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, marriage license, house mortgage, wills, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
How is a family emergency plan created?
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for a disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and other emergencies to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact”. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.
Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
Families should develop different methods for communicating during emergency situations and share their plans beforehand with all those who would be worried about their welfare. Options for remaining in contact with family and friends if a disaster strikes include:
- Phone contact with a designated family member or friend who is unlikely to be affected by the same disaster.
- Email notification via a family distribution list.
- Use of the US Postal Service change of address forms when it becomes necessary to leave home for an extended period of time, thus ensuring that mail will be redirected to a current address.
Complete This Checklist
√ Complete the Family Emergency Plan Template
√ Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police,
ambulance, etc.).
√ Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency
Medical Services number for emergency help.
√ Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out
of each room.
√ Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
√ Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas,
and electricity at the main switches.
√ Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
√ Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher, and show
them where it’s kept.
√ Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near
bedrooms.
√ Conduct a home hazard hunt.
√ Stock emergency supplies and assemble a disaster supplies kit.
√ Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
Practice the Plan
- Test your smoke detectors monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year.
- Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions
How can you stay informed during an emergency?
Be prepared before an emergency happens. Find out which disasters are most likely to happen to the community and appropriate ways to respond to them. During an emergency, check all types of media – Web sites, newspapers, radio, TV, mobile and land phones – for global, national and local information. The local Emergency Management or Emergency Services office will provide information on such things as open shelters and evacuation orders.
Ask local officials the following questions about your community’s disaster/emergency plans.
- Does my community have a plan?
- Can I obtain a copy?
- What does the plan contain?
- How often is it updated?
- What should I know about the plan?
- What hazards does it cover?
In addition to finding out about your community’s plan, it is important that you know what plans are in place for your workplace and your children’s school or day care center.
- Ask your employer about workplace policies regarding disasters and emergencies, including understanding how you will be provided emergency and warning information.
- Contact your children’s school or day care center to discuss their disaster procedures.
The Clermont County General Health District Hotline Number, (513) 588-5121, can be called for prerecorded information on seasonal flu clinics or during public health emergencies.
How can you get involved in the community during and after an emergency?
Look into taking first aid and emergency response training, participating in community exercises, and volunteering to support local first responders. Contact Citizens Corps, which coordinates activities to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to an emergency situation and consider becoming a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer.
Homeland Security promotes emergency preparedness throughout the year via the Ready America campaign. Checklists, brochures, and videos are available in English and in Spanish online and by phone (1-800-BE-READY and 1-888-SE-LISTO).
First Aid Kit
- Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
- (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
- (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
- (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
- (2) triangular bandages.
- (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
- (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
- (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
- (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- (6) antiseptic wipes.
- (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
- Adhesive tape, 2" width.
- Anti-bacterial ointment.
- Cold pack.
- Scissors (small, personal).
- Tweezers.
- CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.