It is officially Hurricane Season (June 1 - November 30). In THIS POST I suggested some things you can do to begin to prepare for unforeseen disasters or emergencies. Today I planned to have a list of items to have on hand in case of a hurricane or other emergency.
As I was compiling this list and getting ideas from other sources I came across THIS website. Though I haven't read completely each chapter, this is a GREAT resource for disaster planning. Well thought out and put in practice, the author includes chapters such as: Food, Water, Clothing, Energy and Shelter, with printable checklists and practical how to's for a variety of emergency situations. I realize that imagining a horrific disaster situation takes us out of our comfort zone and seems unlikely, but as far as preparation, it's better to have and not need than to need and not have. Personally I plan to begin to put into practice many of the suggestions this author makes. I will compile necessary items and prepare BOBs (Bug Out Bags) to have on hand in the car and at the ready.
Obviously there are many websites available pertaining to these matters. This is just one that contains information concerning a variety of emergency circumstances.
This is a topic that I would welcome additional ideas and thoughts.
Showing posts with label Emergency Preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emergency Preparedness. Show all posts
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Emergency Preparedness
It's May. Hurricane Season begins June 1st and I've decided it might be a good idea to begin preparing now. I've been watching the weather and the Gulf temperatures and I'm concerned that present conditions and percentages indicate that we have every potential to be in for a rough ride this summer. I think that we, along the Gulf Coast, have been very fortunate these past few years - that we've skirted major hurricanes while all conditions were prime. I, myself, tend to become complacent in times of calm, but I think it is time to begin to prepare for the worst. That way I'll be ready for anything. My husband and I play "What if." We enjoy talking out all different scenarios and how we would respond / react to different situations. We believe that the time to decide courses of action is before events take place that may require rash, immediate decisions. We prefer to already have a thought out a plan to put into practice. This is why I'm giving Hurricane Preparedness much thought and research so that we may be prepared were calamity to strike. Throughout the next weeks I hope to post different aspects of hurricane / emergency preparedness and steps to follow to be able to do things in steps rather than become overwhelmed with all the necessary precautions all at once in time of an emergency.
This week I'm going to begin to make a plan. I'm going to decide in the event of a Category 5 Hurricane or other emergency...
* Would we stay or would we leave? - Even if we decide to stay, it is a good idea to know area evacuation routes and have a plan as to where we would go if evacuation were absolutely necessary.
* Household members should know emergency procedures for each other’s work, school, or other places where they regularly spend time.
* Discuss how to reunite if a disaster strikes while household members are away from the home. Make plans for where household members should go and whom they should contact when the home is not habitable, safe or if they cannot return to the home
* Agree on out-of-state contacts in the event family members cannot immediately communicate locally.
* Make and distribute a hard copy to each family member.
* Keep the gas tank full - I plan to top off as soon as the tank reaches 1/2 full. It's a wise habit anytime, but during a hurricane/disaster gas lines can be long and prices generally go up. Fuel in the tank increases your range of immediate travel without stopping to compete with everyone else for the same commodity.
* Decide what to do with animals in an emergency situation.
* Make a list of important/emergency phone numbers.
* Mom Phone Alternate Phone
* Dad Phone Alternate Phone
* Child One Phone e-mail
* Child Two Phone e-mail
* Child Three Phone e-mail
* Child Four Phone e-mail
* FAMILY MEETING SITE:
*LOCAL CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* OUT-OF-STATE CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* NEXT OF KIN
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* WORK CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
*PHYSICIAN
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* NEIGHBOR / LANDLORD
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* OTHER EMERGENCY CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* POLICE Phone
* AMBULANCE Phone
* FIRE DEPARTMENT Phone
* GAS COMPANY Phone
* ELECTRIC COMPANY Phone
* WATER COMPANY Phone
* TELEPHONE CO. Phone
* CABLE / INTERNET Phone
* HOME INSURANCE Phone Account Info.
*AUTO INSURANCE Phone Account Info
* POISON CONTROL Phone
I shut down my computer yesterday due to lightening storms and it occurred to me how dependent I've become on this pc. Without it I have no access to information. No news, no weather, no outside contact - even things such as this emergency preparedness list, so I've decided to make a hard copy of important items I otherwise keep on the computer. Without power these would be inaccessible.
BEGIN TO GATHER VITAL INFORMATION - in the event of an emergency it is important to have a copy of these documents available.
This week I'm going to begin to make a plan. I'm going to decide in the event of a Category 5 Hurricane or other emergency...
* Would we stay or would we leave? - Even if we decide to stay, it is a good idea to know area evacuation routes and have a plan as to where we would go if evacuation were absolutely necessary.
* Household members should know emergency procedures for each other’s work, school, or other places where they regularly spend time.
* Discuss how to reunite if a disaster strikes while household members are away from the home. Make plans for where household members should go and whom they should contact when the home is not habitable, safe or if they cannot return to the home
* Agree on out-of-state contacts in the event family members cannot immediately communicate locally.
* Make and distribute a hard copy to each family member.
* Keep the gas tank full - I plan to top off as soon as the tank reaches 1/2 full. It's a wise habit anytime, but during a hurricane/disaster gas lines can be long and prices generally go up. Fuel in the tank increases your range of immediate travel without stopping to compete with everyone else for the same commodity.
* Decide what to do with animals in an emergency situation.
* Make a list of important/emergency phone numbers.
* Mom Phone Alternate Phone
* Dad Phone Alternate Phone
* Child One Phone e-mail
* Child Two Phone e-mail
* Child Three Phone e-mail
* Child Four Phone e-mail
* FAMILY MEETING SITE:
*LOCAL CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* OUT-OF-STATE CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* NEXT OF KIN
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* WORK CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
*PHYSICIAN
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* NEIGHBOR / LANDLORD
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* OTHER EMERGENCY CONTACT
Name Phone Alternate Phone
* POLICE Phone
* AMBULANCE Phone
* FIRE DEPARTMENT Phone
* GAS COMPANY Phone
* ELECTRIC COMPANY Phone
* WATER COMPANY Phone
* TELEPHONE CO. Phone
* CABLE / INTERNET Phone
* HOME INSURANCE Phone Account Info.
*AUTO INSURANCE Phone Account Info
* POISON CONTROL Phone
I shut down my computer yesterday due to lightening storms and it occurred to me how dependent I've become on this pc. Without it I have no access to information. No news, no weather, no outside contact - even things such as this emergency preparedness list, so I've decided to make a hard copy of important items I otherwise keep on the computer. Without power these would be inaccessible.
BEGIN TO GATHER VITAL INFORMATION - in the event of an emergency it is important to have a copy of these documents available.
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Driver’s license
- Social Security number
- Bank account information and stock/bond certificates
- Will and other legal papers
- Medical data, allergies, medications/dosages, doctor contacts, and health history
- Deed or mortgage documents
- Insurance policies and cards
- Inventory and photographs of your valuables (prints or on a CD)
- Any other document that would be difficult to replace (auto pink slips, adoption papers, etc.)
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