Turning the clock ahead (you did remember, right?) is a good time also to perform a checkup on your household’s disaster preparedness plan.
George Sabo, director of the County Emergency Management Agency, says it is important that every household have a basic 72-hour supply of supplies to survive a disaster. The Web site www.recovery.gov can help you put together this kit, as well as to make plans for riding out a disaster.
Kits should be customized for your family’s particular needs. For example, if you have a baby or young children, you may need to include formula or special food. Having elderly family members or pets also will require special provisions.
“We’re trying to get people to stock up on what they need and have a plan in place so they can take care of themselves for a minimum of 72 hours after an incident,” Sabo says.
One absolute essential for staying informed is a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio that can receive signals, regardless of the power situation in the county.
“That’s a very big lifeline to get information to people,” he says.
He stresses that, from the public’s perspective, there are really only three options residents need to concern themselves with in the event of a disaster:
1) Evacuate, as directed by the authorities;
2) Do nothing, but stay tuned for further information;
3) Shelter in place, which involves selecting a small interior room with no or few windows and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building.
“We’re still trying to educate people (that) that’s all they need to do,” Sabo says of these options.
The Web site nationalterroralert.com can provide you with more information. Also check the American Red Cross site (redcross.org) for preparedness information.
