|
Being prepared for a disaster, whether a
severe storm, power failure in the winter, flood, large urban fire, earthquake,
or large chemical spill, we have the responsibility to be prepared. Emergencies
can occur at any time and without warning. The better you are prepared, the
better you can minimize upset and anxiety that often occurs during an
emergency.
At a minimum, you would be best prepared to
take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours. Some of the ways
to prepare include:
-
Making emergency first aid kits, and if possible, learning some first
aid
-
Storing a 72 hour emergency food and water supply (recycle it every three
months)
-
Selecting sites in your home and office where you can duck under or cover
yourself and hold onto through the duration of the quake
- Doing
a hazard analysis of your home and teaching everyone in the family what to do
when the ground starts shaking, and when it stops shaking
-
Identify where family members would meet if separated during an
evacuation
- Have
at least one week's supply of routine medication on hand, plus baby and/or pet
supplies
- Have
survival bags already packed and ready to take with you in the event you have
to evacuate quickly
- Plan
for no power, no phone system, and have an out-of-province phone number that
all members of the family can call once local phones are operable
- Make
sure the hot water tank is strapped to the wall
- The
foundation and house should be joined by anchor bolts
-
Consider earthquake and other disaster insurance for your home and its
contents
- Know
the school or facility emergency plan
Basic supplies include:
- Extra
shoes under the bed so you can walk through broken glass and debris
-
Flashlights near beds with fresh batteries
- Gas
wrenches to shut off natural gas, should you detect a leak
- Work
gloves, wrench, hammer, pliers, duct tape, crowbar
-
Toilet tissue and plastic garbage bags
-
Battery operated radio and batteries
-
Emergency cooking supplies
Back to Main Menu |