Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 20th - Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Review emergency action steps with all family members:

• Check the scene and the victim

• Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number posted by the telephone

• Care for the victim

Help your children learn more about emergencies by visiting Red Cross' "Masters of

Disaster."

Emergencies affect all of Us, Including our Pets

If you are like millions of animal owners nationwide, your pet is an important member of your household.  When planning your family for disaster, don’t overlook the needs of your cherished family pets.  The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or any of the all hazards depends largely on emergency planning done today.

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), while you make a plan to prepare for your family also consider your family pet.  Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency.  Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets.  Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals.

If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!  Pets most likely cannot survive on their own and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.

If you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside.  Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets:

·         Consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency

·         Make a back-up emergency plan in case you can’t care for your animals yourself.

·         Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

·         Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer.

Pet owners can receive free preparedness tips on how to best prepare for emergencies at http://www.ready.gov/animals or by calling 1-800-BE-READY, 1-888-SE-LISTO, and TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Learn what to put in a pet Emergency Supply Kit, how to develop a pet care buddy system, and how to make plans in advance for neighbors’ pets if they need to evacuate.  In addition, instructional videos on family and pet preparedness are available at www.ready.gov/psa. 

This September, remember to prepare your entire family, including your pets.

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 19th

 

You should also keep a smaller version of your emergency supply kit in your vehicle, in

case you are commuting or traveling when disaster strikes.

Emergency Kit For Your Vehicle

• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars,

raisins and peanut butter

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Blanket

• Booster cables

• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)

• First aid kit and manual

• Maps

• Shovel

• Tire repair kit and pump

• Flares or other emergency marking devices

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 18th -- Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person in your emergency supply kit. We suggest long pants and long sleeves for additional protection

after a disaster.

 

Clothing and Bedding (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *

Sturdy shoes or work boots*

Rain gear*

Blankets or sleeping bags*

Hat and gloves

Thermal underwear

Sunglasses

Preparedness Tip of the Day

September 17th --  Also include items for sanitation in your emergency supply kit Consider the following:

Sanitation (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)

• Toilet paper, towelettes*

.. Soap, liquid detergent*

• Feminine supplies*

• Personal hygiene items*

• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)*

.. Plastic bucket with tight lid

• Disinfectant

• Household chlorine bleach

(Continued in the next tip)

Preparedness Tip of the Day

Sunday, September 16th

One of the easiest ways you can prepare for emergencies is to keep some supplies

readily available. Every kit is unique and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of

your family, but below is a general list of supplies you may want to consider:

Tools and Supplies (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils

• Emergency preparedness manual and a copy of your disaster plan, including

your emergency contacts list

• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*

• Flashlight and extra batteries*

• Cash or traveler's checks, change*

• Non-electric can opener, utility knife*

• Fire extinguisher: small ABC type stored near where fires are likely to occur such

as a kitchen, or near a fireplace. It should not be kept in the disaster supplies kit.

• Tube tent

• Duct Tape*

• Compass

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Aluminum foil

• Plastic storage containers

• Signal flare

• Paper, pencil*

• Needles, thread

• Medicine dropper

  Shut-off wrench or pliers, to turn off household gas and water

• Whistle*

• Plastic sheeting*

• Map of the area (for locating shelters and evacuation routes)

Preparedness Tip of the Day

Saturday, September 15th

Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person. Store a minimum of one gallon of

water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and

sanitation). Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using

containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A

normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot

environments and strenuous activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers,

and people who are sick will also need more.