| Extraordinary times really call for equally | | | | a family member's or friend's home. |
| extraordinary responses from all of us. The signs | | | | Before you leave your home make sure that all |
| of the times have brought a new spin to our | | | | your valuables are properly secured. Don't forget |
| typical home emergency and disaster response | | | | to bring along your disaster kit. Consider all |
| program. What will you do if suddenly the | | | | possible scenarios when facing an emergency |
| unthinkable hits your community? A major | | | | situation. These will include traffic conditions during |
| disaster has happened and citizens have been | | | | evacuation, possible alternative routes to your |
| ordered to evacuate. | | | | pre-arranged destination, etc. |
| Disasters can be man-made like fire or accidental | | | | Things to Remember When Riding Out a Storm |
| spill of hazardous chemicals, or it can be natural | | | | inside your Home |
| like a hurricane or flooding. Either way, the | | | | If conditions indicate that you and your family |
| experience can be extremely frightening. If you | | | | need to stay at home during a disaster, or when |
| fail to prepare for such dreadful but unavoidable | | | | you have already lost the chance of leaving your |
| events, then you are limiting your options when | | | | home at the height of an unfolding emergency |
| these fateful events finally happen. All it takes is | | | | situation, then you need to identify the safest |
| sufficient planning so that you are able to put in | | | | part of your home. You need to use common |
| place a home emergency and disaster mitigation | | | | sense in identifying the best place where your |
| plan that will give your family the needed passage | | | | family can spend their time until the crisis finally |
| to safety when disaster strikes. | | | | blows over. Stay inside the room with fewest |
| Evacuation Drill with your Family and Friends | | | | windows and doors. On the other hand, if |
| The only way that you can keep your family up | | | | floodwater starts to inundate the interior of your |
| to speed of your home emergency and disaster | | | | home, make sure that you stay on higher ground. |
| mitigation program is by going through practice | | | | However, during a windstorm, it is essential that |
| runs. You can involve some of your friends to | | | | you stay at lower-level areas of your home. |
| give the evacuation drill a bigger scope. You have | | | | Secure and close shut all doors, windows, blinds |
| to put in place safety routes which every | | | | and shades, and resist the temptation of peering |
| member of your household must be familiar with. | | | | through windows to monitor what is happening as |
| This means that during any eventuality, this plan | | | | flying debris can hit your home and shatter your |
| must be in place and each member of your family | | | | glass windows and doors. |
| must be aware of escape routes and designated | | | | The Danger the Lingers once the Initial Threat |
| converging points or assembly areas. | | | | Has Come to Pass |
| It is also important that you set aside some extra | | | | Don't lower your guard even if it seems that the |
| cash as banks may be closed and credit card | | | | worst part has finally come to pass. Take extra |
| machines and ATM may be rendered inoperable | | | | precaution once you step out of your home after |
| during a disaster. Your cash on hand must be | | | | a major disaster. Be conscious of potential threats |
| sufficient to tide you over for a few days. It is | | | | and assess the damage to your property and |
| extremely important that you monitor public | | | | your immediate surrounding. These shall include |
| alerts and warnings as well as specific evacuation | | | | downed power lines, structural condition of your |
| arrangement from authorities. Don't leave your | | | | home, gas leaks, fires and other serious threats |
| home unless you are doubly sure where you | | | | within the area. |
| must go - to a designated assembly point, a hotel, | | | | |