Disaster Preparedness Brochure

AMAZING AGAIN!  Today I was at an expo at my county.  There were lots of booths there that had to do with new technology the county is using or thinking of using, local businesses and banks, and other vendors.  I walked past this one county service that is a medical volunteer group.  They are a group of volunteers and they go out and help with flu vaccines, medical clinics, and such.  This volunteer was very nice and before we left his booth he handed me a brochure.  I thanked him and went on my way.  I looked at the brochure and lo and behold it is a brochure on disaster preparedness!  God works in great ways.  I think I was supposed to start this blog and blog about all things preparedness.

The brochure does a really good job of covering the basics.  It has three simple steps:
1.  Get a kit.
2. Make a plan,
3. Stay informed.

The kit they are talking about is a 3-Day kit.
You should include the following for each member of your family to last three days.

• food that won't spoil, such as canned goods and packaged foods 
• water, one gallon per person per day
• a working battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• a written family emergency plan

Once you have those items you are to add:

• flashlights and extra batteries
• first aid kit including a list of allergies and extra contact lenses or glasses
• a written list of your prescriptions and the prescribing doctor(s) and at least a week's supply of medications
• Sanitation supplies: toilet paper, soap, plastic garbage bags, and personal hygiene items
• change of clothing, sturdy shoes and a blanket or sleeping bag.
• food and water for your pets
• special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members

Once you have the kit you are to make a plan:

• discuss with your family the types of possible emergencies and disasters that threaten the area you live in and what to do in each case.
• Talk with school personnel to learn how they handle emergencies and how you will be informed if an emergency occurs.
• Know where you will go if you have to evacuate your home and how you can take your pets.
• Decide on a meeting place, and choose an out of town friend or family member to be a contact person.
• Keep all important phone numbers with you at all times, just in case.

Now your job is to stay informed:

• You should keep up with local up to date information before, during and after a disaster.
• Follow any orders to evacuate or remain in your home.
• Keep informed of weather watches and warnings and educate yourself on what to do in these times
• Keep your battery-powered radio in working condition and make sure you have extra batteries in case the electricity goes out.

Here are a few links that I have found to help with preparing an emergency kit.

http://www.ready.gov/

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

http://72hours.org/