| No one knows when disaster might strike or | | | | require on a daily basis, such as prescriptions, eye |
| where they will be when an emergency situation | | | | glasses and hearing aid batteries? |
| happens. It could occur while you're at home, | | | | 5. Do you maintain your disaster supplies kit by |
| traveling in your car, at work, while on vacation, | | | | changing food and water supplies every six |
| or while exploring the great outdoors. It could be | | | | months; storing canned and packaged foods in a |
| something that lasts a few hours or a few days. | | | | cool, dry place; replacing expired items; and |
| To cope with any type of crisis situation, | | | | updating the contents each year or as your |
| emergency preparedness is essential. | | | | family's needs change? |
| There are several key components of a | | | | 6. Are you aware of the risk level in your |
| comprehensive emergency preparedness plan. | | | | community for possible hazards or emergency |
| How well are you prepared? Below is a checklist | | | | situations? These can include floods, hurricanes, |
| that addresses emergency preparedness. See | | | | tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and lighting, |
| how prepared you are to face any type of | | | | winter storms, earthquakes, extreme heat, |
| catastrophe. Give yourself a point for every "Yes" | | | | volcanoes, landslides, fires, tsunamis, hazardous |
| answer. | | | | material leaks, nuclear power plant incidents, |
| 1. When you go hiking, mountain climbing, boating, | | | | terrorism, explosions, chemical threats, biological |
| fishing, cross country skiing, canoeing, or take part | | | | threats and nuclear blasts. |
| in any other outdoor activity, do you have a | | | | 7. Does your emergency preparedness plan |
| survival kit in case you get lost, injured, or | | | | include an evacuation route for you and your |
| separated from the group? | | | | family in the event you have to leave your home, |
| 2. Do you have an emergency preparedness plan | | | | work, or school? |
| so that all family members know where to go | | | | 8. Do you know how to shut off utility services |
| and how to get in touch in case a disaster occurs | | | | to your home, such as natural gas, the main |
| when everyone's away from home, such as at | | | | water valve and electricity? |
| work and at school? | | | | 9. Have you established an emergency |
| 3. Do you have an emergency preparedness | | | | preparedness plan for your pets? |
| disaster supplies kit for your home? For your | | | | 10. Are you prepared to shelter-in-place at home, |
| office? For your car? | | | | work, school, or in between, and to seal off a |
| 4. Does your survival kit include the basics of a | | | | room from outside air in the event of chemical or |
| three-day supply per person of food and water; a | | | | radiological contaminants? |
| battery powered radio; a flashlight; a first aid kit; | | | | While preparing for an emergency or natural |
| an emergency blanket; matches in a waterproof | | | | disaster can be overwhelming, taking emergency |
| container or a fire starter kit; hygiene and | | | | preparedness steps will help you and your family |
| sanitation items; a rescue signal, such as a whistle; | | | | better cope with a stressful situation. Emergency |
| extra clothing; a manually operated can opener; | | | | preparedness also ensures that you and your |
| extra batteries; copies of identification; cash and | | | | loved ones will all make it through the crisis |
| change; and other items that you and your family | | | | situation just fine. |