DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY PLAN

Meet with family members to develop an emergency plan and regularly conduct drills to practice your plan.

Become aware of emergency situations that can occur in your area. Contact Hamilton County Emergency Management Office, American Red Cross chapter or Fire Department for information.

Learn your community’s evacuation plan

Determine safe rooms to go to if you are not told to evacuate

Post emergency numbers by the telephone. During an emergency, only use the telephone when someone needs immediate emergency assistance

Teach children their address and phone number

Note special assistance needed by people with disabilities

Prepare for family health needs (prescriptions and medical supplies)

Consider care for livestock if applicable

Learn terms used to describe emergency levels (advisory, watch, warning)

Learn types of emergency signals on air, radio and TV

Learn basic first aid and CPR. Contact local American Red Cross

Establish a meeting place in the event of family separation

Find out daycare/school emergency procedures

ASSEMBLE A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT

If you are confined to your home or must evacuate as a result of severe weather or disaster, a disaster supplies kit can be useful. Keep it readily accessible for safety, comfort, and convenience. All household members should know where it is stored. Replace food, water, medical supplies, and batteries as needed. Place the items you need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Include:

 For Safety

• 3 day supply of water (1 gallon/person/day) in clean, marked, plastic containers
• 3 day supply of non-perishable, nutritious food not requiring cooking, eating utensils and manual can opener
• List of prescription medicines
• Extra eye glasses
• Extra car keys
• Baby supplies
• ABC fire extinguisher
• Battery operated radio, flashlight, plenty of extra batteries
• Tools, rope, wrench, pliers, hammer, nails

 For Comfort

• Change of clothing, footwear for each person
• Bedding for each person
• Sanitary supplies (toilet paper, feminine products)
• Pet Food (shelters do not allow pets)

 For Convenience

• Cash or credit card
• Medical insurance ID numbers
• Out-of-town contact list
• Paper and pencil
• Important family documents
• Reading Material

PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR AN EMERGENCY

• Have your home inspected to ensure compliance with fire and building codes. Repair defective wiring and large cracks in plaster
• Obtain disaster insurance for home and personal property, Obtain information on the National Flood Insurance Program from an insurance company or your local emergency management office.
• Secure important papers, lists, and photographs of personal property, in a bank safety deposit box.
• Buy ABC fire extinguishers. Keep accessible on each building level. Periodically check functioning.
• Install smoke detectors on each level outside sleeping areas, not in kitchens or bathrooms. Check functioning and vacuum out dust and dirt once a month. Change batteries yearly.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector. Regularly maintain according to manufacturers instructions.
• Buy flashlights/emergency lighting. Avoid candles (fire hazard).
• Make house address/number clearly visible form the street.
• Bolt/fasten securely your water heater.
• Locate your home’s main water, electrical and gas shut offs and learn how and when to shut them off. Mark with brightly colored stickers or tape.

ASSEMBLE AN AUTO SURVIVAL KIT

Assemble a smaller version of a disaster supplies kit to be stored in vehicle. Maintain regularly.

                INCLUDE:

                                                Blanket/sleeping bag

                                                Flares and/or triangles

                                                Jumper Cables

                                                Shovel

                                                Rock Salt and Sand

                                                Tire Repair/Replacement supplies

                                                Map(s)