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As Hurricane Sandy devastates the East Coast, we first must
send our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by this tragedy. As we move forward, no matter where you are,
you must prepare for a disaster to occur in your community. Hoping for the best, yet planning for the
worst can save lives.
Make a Plan
Having a plan set in place is the best way to
avert disaster in times of crisis.
First, have a family meeting so everyone is on the same page. Establish the best escape routes from your
home and pick a place to meet after everyone is out of harm’s way. If you have small children, make sure they
know how to spell their last name, an adult’s contact phone number, and how to
dial 9-1-1 in case they become separated.
Mark your calendars to review your plan every six months.
Stock Up
You should keep enough supplies at home to meet
the needs of you and your family for at least 3 days. This includes water, dry food, dry clothes,
battery powered radio, flashlight with extra batteries and a first aid
kit. If you purchase these items in
small quantities at a time and stow them away for use solely in an emergency,
it need not be expensive and you need not encounter the crowds that descend
upon retail stores in the days and hours before a disaster strikes.
To get more tips on how to safely prepare your family for
disaster, click
here.
Also, FEMA has a guide book you can go through with your
family for basic disaster preparedness, which you can view here.
