Are you prepared if a natural disaster were to strike your area or region? September is National Preparedness Month 2010. This year's awareness month is sponsored by the Ready Campaign in partnership with the Citizen Corps and the Ad Council. You can register your business or organization today and encourage fellow Americans to prepare by spreading the emergency preparedness message.
How can you help people prepare or prepare yourself? Concrete, easy steps like encouraging people to get a kit, make a plan, and be informed make a huge difference.
Some things to include in a preparedness kit are:
- Water (one gallon per person, per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation).
- Food (at least a three day supply of non-perishables).
- Battery-powered or hand crank NOAA weather radio with extra batteries.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- Basic first aid supplies.
- Whistle (to signal for help).
- Dust mask, moist towelettes, and garbage bags.
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
- Can opener for food.
- Local maps.
- Cell phone with charger.
- Prescription medication, pet food and water(be aware many shelters do not allow pets), and important documents.
After you have a preparedness kit, you must then create an action plan. This plan will be implemented in case of a natural disaster and the need for evacuation. Make sure everyone in the family knows the plan and also that an out-of-town contact is aware. It is a good idea to subscribe to alert services on your e-mail or cell phone so you are aware of changing conditions during the disaster. The most important thing during an emergency is to be informed.
Every part of the country is susceptible to natural disasters, including Albany and the Capital Region of upstate New York, and the best way to combat them is to be prepared. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, snowstorms, thunderstorms, volcanoes, and even terrorist attacks can change our lives in an instant. Now is the time to prepare, don't wait.
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Comments
Great info here...the whistle is a GREAT idea!! I thought of everything else, except the whistle! Thanks!I used to live up in CNY.
Thanks for reading Fran! Pass along this great info.
I cannot stress how important it is to be prepared for a natural disaster. We found out the hard way last year as we prepared last minute for the worst typhoon to hit Taiwan in 50 years (we did not know it at the time however). We went to the grocery store along with 3/4 of Taipei it seemed like and of course, many of the necessities were already sold out. Now, we keep a lot of stuff on hand since we move and now live closer to where the typhoons hit, along with being on the 24th floor close to the epicenter of many of Taiwan's quakes. Eeek. Feel better that we at least have provisions on hand now!
great info- I went through 3 hurricanes while living in FL and any car chargers you have for electronics help too
Great info. Passing this on so we can make use of it in our church's emergency plan.
Great information. People with Pets really need to pay attention and be prepared. It doesn't take a hurricane to require you to leave your home and shelters, by law, do not allow pets.
What is the safest place to keep such a kit?
Shyamal, the best place to keep your kit is in an air tight, waterproof container, and it may be best to have one at home, one at work, and one in your car, so you are always prepared wherever you are. Make sure to keep it fresh and updated too!
Great information and a handy list to stock the house with.
Great info, thanks!
Thank you for the fantastic information so we can be Prepared for a Disaster.
I learned the hard way back in November 2000 during a freak blizzard in November. Three feet of snow in 3 hours left me stuck at work with just the clothes on my back.
Good list for natural disaster preparedness. I'll be printing this out.
how about an emergency backpack for most of the things in your list?
oh one more thing may i add a hammer to that list/backpack . so sure the people of Hatti would of wish for one
A backpack is a good idea, but you want to be sure your supplies/kit are kept somewhere that is weather proof. What do you think a hammer is necessary for?
WATER,WATER,WATER,
Very true...water is very important and you can never have enough. It is often hard to find clean water after a natural disaster.
It is the first thing on my list after all!
Great advice..... passing it along to my employees....
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