Disaster Awareness and Preparedness
Disaster Awareness and Preparedness
Disaster Awareness and Preparedness
Have a family emergency plan. Sit down and talk about the
emergencies that are most likely to happen in your area. Determine
how your family will react in each situation. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency has tools to help you put together an emergency
preparedness plan.
Assemble an emergency kit. In a tote or other easy-to-carry bag, store
copies of important documents such as birth certificates, photo
identification, medical cards, cash and extra checks, spare keys, a list of
important phone numbers, an extra supply of prescription medications,
a three-day supply of water and non-perishable food (don't forget pet
food), a first aid kit, a flashlight, matches, blankets, and changes of
clothing.
Keep your gas tank filled. Since you will likely need your automobile to
evacuate your area, it is a good rule of thumb to always refill your gas
tank when it dips below half.
Here are emergency preparedness specifics for each of the following
types of disasters:
Earthquake. "Drop, take cover, and hold on." This means you should
drop to the ground, get under a sturdy shelter, maybe a desk or table,
and hold on until the ground stops shaking. When the earthquake is
over, follow the instructions of local authorities and put your family's
emergency plan into place.
Preparing for the unknown does take some time, but you do not have
to prepare for and do everything. Just figure out what aspects of
information and procedures are relevant to your locale, lifestyle and
family.
There are some very important reasons why you should prepare
for a disaster:
Saves Lives – Different disasters require different responses. Being prepared
for various disaster emergencies can make a huge difference in saving lives as
well as money.
Reduces Danger – Knowing the steps to take during a disaster – whether
flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes or another crisis – can greatly reduce the
danger and distress your family may face.
Reduces Uncertainty – Not having a complete understanding of a hazard
threat can leave you frightened and uncertain of what to doto protect yourself
and your loved ones. Being prepared by knowing what to do reduces
uncertainty.
Helps Cope with Stress – Disasters are stressful events over
which we have little or no control. The sudden disruption of
everyday life, the experience of fear, feelings of uncertainty
and a lost sense of safety are the common factors that make
all disasters very stressful.