The importance of disaster preparedness has never been more evident. Can you keep your family safe if a natural disaster strikes?
Mother Nature can provide us with some spectacular things: a gentle rainstorm to lull us to sleep at night, a brilliant sunrise stretching its way across the horizon, a rainbow shimmering in the sky. But her presence in our lives in not always benevolent. She can hit us, seemingly out of the clear blue sky, with life-changing – and in some cases, life-ending – disasters. Her force can be as devastating as it is beautiful when she sweeps violently through, leaving mass destruction and chaos in her wake. Although you can’t fight Mother Nature, you can take precautions so that you’ll be more prepared in the event that one of her disastrous “tantrums” hits close to home
Know Your Risks
Before you can adequately prepare for a disaster, you need to know what type of occurrence your family is most at risk for. After all, there’s no sense in getting ready for something that is highly unlikely to happen in your area. The government provides a valuable Internet resource with their Multi-Hazard Mapping Initiative, or MMI, site (you’ll find a direct link below this article). On this site, you can view detailed maps of your state and see your level of risk for each type of natural disaster; from landslides to windstorms to volcanoes, everything is covered. Once you know your risks, you can start planning more specifically for them.
Basic Preparedness
Regardless of what type of natural disaster poses the biggest threat to your community, basic preparedness is crucial; it can save your life, and the lives of your family.
Know your emergency signals.
You can ask your local authorities what emergency signals they use to inform the public of a disaster. You may already know their distinct sounds – most communities perform routine monthly tests of their emergency alert systems. Your local radio and television stations probably participate in the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also has a nationwide network of radio stations that provide up-to-the-minute weather information. But the NOAA stations are only broadcast to radios that are specifically configured to receive them. If NOAA Weather Radio is available in your community, you should consider purchasing a NOAA receiver. You can buy one at many electronics stores, electronic departments within stores, through mail-order catalogs, and in many boat and marine accessory businesses.
Make sure that all your family members are aware of which sounds and signals warn of an impending emergency, and which conditions each signal indicates. If you have a deaf or elderly family member that may not be able to hear the signals, ensure that you have a plan to contact them somehow in the event of an emergency.
Be prepared for an evacuation.
Some natural emergencies pose enough of a threat to require you to leave your home. In some cases, you may have a little bit of advance notice to prepare (provided you keep up with local weather reports), but it’s still a good idea to get ready in case a quick evacuation becomes necessary. Ask authorities about evacuation routes out of your city, and request a map with the routes clearly marked (if they can’t provide one, you can always make your own). Keep the map in a safe place where it will be easy to get to – even carry it in your purse or wallet, if you can.
There are several important things to do when you’re forced to evacuate your home. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you should always do the following:
Keep a full tank of gas in your car at all times, or at least have gas available to fill the tank up; gas stations may be closed in an emergency situation. Take one car per family when evacuating, in order to help reduce traffic congestion.
If you don’t have a car, make sure you have alternate transportation arranged.
Have a battery-powered radio handy to listen to weather reports and evacuation instructions.
If you have to evacuate immediately, don’t dawdle – get your family and go as quickly as you can.
Follow recommended evacuation routes. Avoid shortcuts – either they’ll be blocked somehow due the natural disaster, or everyone else will have the same idea and traffic will be backed up there.
Do not drive into flooded areas, and stay away from downed power lines.
FEMA also suggests doing the following – but only if time permits:
Gather your disaster supplies kit.
Dress in sturdy shoes and protective clothing (long sleeves, long pants, etc.).
Secure your home by locking doors and windows, and unplug all electrical devices. The exception is refrigerators and freezers, unless there is a risk of flooding.
Notify others of your whereabouts.
Make a family plan.
There are lots of things to talk over with your family. If you have a plan, and all family members are well-informed of it, everyone is much more likely to get safely through an emergency. Important things to discuss:
Escape routes. Draw a floor plan of your home, and discuss the two best ways to get out of each room. Using a blank sheet of paper for each floor, draw each route in a different colored marker or colored pencil. Make sure that everyone in the house has a clear understanding of the escape routes, especially your kids – make them copies of the escape route and hang them in an easily accessible place at kid’s-eye level. Discuss where you’ll meet once you all get outside.
In the event that your family isn’t together during a crisis, make sure each family member has been provided with a contact card. These cards contain important phone numbers and information regarding who to contact in an emergency situation. Keep them in wallets, purses, cars, and backpacks. It’s even a good idea to keep a copy on file at your child’s school. Make sure there is an out-of-state contact on the card that a family member can contact to let someone know they’re safe. And if you have designated a meeting place somewhere in your community, write the phone number to that place as well.
Family members who are responsible enough (and who can physically handle the task) should be taught how to shut off utilities. If your home has a gas meter, ask your gas company to show you how to turn the meter off; there are assorted procedures for different meter configurations. Important: never try to turn the gas back on by yourself – always leave this up to a professional.
Natural disasters can affect your water supply or quality. In most cases, the water can be shut off at the valve where the water enters your house. Show everyone in the household where this shutoff valve is. Check it periodically, because such valves can rust shut or only partially close; if you encounter such a problem, the valve should be replaced. Label the valve with an easily recognizable, easy-to-read weatherproof tag. Important: in the event of a natural disaster, don’t drink the water until you hear that it’s safe for consumption.
Electric sparks can be dangerous in the event of a gas leak – they can ignite and cause a fire. To shut off your electricity, locate your home’s circuit box. Make sure each circuit is clearly labeled and teach all responsible parties how to shut them off. Important: always shut off all individual circuits before shutting off the main breaker.
It is vital that your whole family knows how to operate a fire extinguisher, and how to administer basic first aid and CPR. Many communities have programs available to teach people of all ages these skills – most of which are free or available for a nominal fee. Even if you’ve taken a class, it’s important to review with the family every so often to keep your skills sharp.
Plan for your pets.
If you have pets, you’re going to want to make sure they’re well-protected in an emergency, just like the rest of your family. A word of caution: take care of your pets last. Although you love them like family members, make sure your human family is taken care of first, and then see to your pets – only if you have plenty time. As unfortunate as it is, it isn’t uncommon for people to die trying to rescue their animals from an emergency situation.
Identify and arrange for shelter. Most pets (with the exception of Seeing Eye dogs and other service animals) are not permitted in emergency shelters, so you’ll have to be prepared to have an alternate place to keep your pets. Research area kennels and pet boarding places – and a few that are out-of-area, depending on how widespread the emergency is. Keep a list of these places and their current contact information. If you’re not comfortable leaving your pet at an animal shelter or kennel, keep a list of pet-friendly hotels and motels.
Make sure that all your pets’ veterinary records are accessible and up-to-date, and that their vaccinations are current.
If you have large animals, such as horses, make sure they can be identified as yours. Set up transportation for them, such as a truck and trailer, and see that they have an adequate supply of food and water set aside for emergencies. Plan ahead of time where they would go, and make sure that the destination has the correct facilities to house them.
Keep track of your vital records.
You should have all of your important papers in one place. Original marriage licenses, divorce decrees and birth certificates should go in a safe deposit box; obtain certified copies to keep with your personal records at home in a fire-safe, locked box. Have at least two keys made for each box, and keep one with you and give the other to a trustworthy person that doesn’t live with you (if you don’t have a family member or friend that you trust that much, give the key to a legal representative). Put important documents in plastic sleeves to protect them and distinguish them from less important items. If you have records that are kept only on a computer, make printouts. Documents and records you should be sure to keep safe include:
Marriage certificates and divorce decrees
Titles, registrations and deeds for properties and vehicles
ID records such as passports and driver licenses
Mortgage and loan information
Social Security cards
Birth certificates
Insurance policies
Credit card statements
Income tax information
Trusts
Wills
Bank account records
Investment records
Be insured.
It’s a very wise idea to have property, life, and health insurance in case disaster strikes. Also, check with your insurance agent to see if there is a special type of insurance for your area – such as flood insurance if you live in a flood-prone area. Although such policies might just seem like extra expenses while everything is fine, you’ll be thankful to have them if you find yourself facing a natural disaster.
Inventory your possessions so that in case something does happen, you’ll have a record of the things that need to be replaced. You can print a helpful home inventory guide and checklist provided by the University of Idaho; this link can also be found at the end of this article.
Prepare a disaster supplies kit.
A natural disaster can leave you stranded without even the most basic services and supplies, unless you’re well prepared for such events. You may not get help for hours or even days after a crisis, so it’s crucial to have a supply of items to help you survive any time spent waiting. Keep the kit in a place where everyone can reach it. In your kit, you’ll need to include:
A flashlight
Extra batteries, in several sizes
Matches in a waterproof container
A whistle
Changes of clothes and extra shoes for each family member – keep the climate in mind and choose accordingly
Protective clothing such as rain ponchos
Can opener and other useful kitchen utensils
First aid kit and instructions on how to perform basic first aid
Toilet paper, moist towelettes and, for women, sanitary napkins or tampons
Infant items such as formula or diapers
A portable, battery-powered radio
Medications, contact lens cases and solutions, soap, disinfectant spray, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and any other special-needs items
Plastic eating utensils and plastic plates or bowls
Blankets or sleeping bags, enough for everyone
A three-day supply of food and water
A deck of cards, crayons, or other small things to keep family members occupied
Cash and change – at least quarters
When choosing what foods to store with your disaster supplies kit, there are several things to remember. You should pack canned foods and mixes that don’t require a lot of preparation or effort; remember, you’re worried about survival, not taste value. You don’t want foods that require that you use up your valuable water supply, either, unless it’s just a few tablespoons to add to a dry mix. Include foods that won’t make you thirsty – foods with high sodium content will do just that, so check labels. Choose canned fruits and vegetables with a high liquid content, as these can aid in the prevention of dehydration.
You should stock up on water – at least one gallon per person per day. So in a four-person household, for example, you’d need a minimum of twelve gallons. The elderly, nursing mothers, and people who are ill need more water; if it’s hot weather, you’ll also require extra. It’s best to buy commercially bottled water, but you can bottle your own tap water in empty two-liter soda bottles. Use these rather than glass or cardboard containers (such as juice cartons) – cardboard isn’t designed for long-term water storage and can harbor bacteria, and glass is too cumbersome and heavy (not to mention breakable!). Sanitize the soda bottles by swishing in them a solution of one teaspoon bleach and one quart hot water. After you do this, rinse them well, fill them to the top with water, and securely tighten the original cap. Date the bottles and store them in a cool, dark place. If you do use tap water, replace it every six months. Commercially bottled water will be fine until the “use by” date, unless they’ve been opened.
In the case that you run out of water, there are safe and unsafe sources to acquire more. Safe sources include:
Water drained from pipes
Melted ice
Water from a hot water heater (provided it hasn’t been damaged)
You can also drink the liquid from canned fruits and vegetables to prevent dehydration.
Unsafe sources of water include:
Water beds
Toilets (even the flush tank)
Pools and spas – although you can use the water for personal hygiene, it’s too full of chemicals to drink
Hot water boilers
Radiators
You can purchase water purification tablets to make questionable sources of drinking water safe. These tablets can be found in stores with camping supplies, or bought online.
Make sure to keep all containers of food and water completely sealed, and in a cool, dark place where they’ll be undisturbed. To prolong their shelf life, you may want to store everything in a big plastic or metal container. Note the expiration dates on everything and use the food before it goes bad, replacing it as you go. If you have children, check periodically to make sure that the extra changes of clothing and shoes still fit. Keep two big duffel bags or other easy-to-carry containers with the supplies so that everything can be quickly packed into them, or simply store the goods in the containers to begin with.
You might also consider making a similar kit for your car, containing flares, jumper cables, first aid supplies, changes of clothing and shoes, protective ponchos, food and water.
You may not be able to avoid disaster when Mother Nature strikes, but by being well-equipped for an emergency, you’ll be one step ahead. Gather your family, make a specific plan, and practice it. Make sure that everyone knows exactly what to do, where to meet, and where emergency supplies are located. If ever a disaster strikes, you’ll be thankful you and your family put forth the time and effort to prepare.