Emergency Preparedness Plan

September is Emergency Preparedness Month.  The brochure in yesterday's mail tells me so...  Actually it is quite interesting information and includes many tips that just make good sense for a sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle.  I'm going to share some of their information and some from other places and from my own ideas and experience this week.

Earthquake.  Tsunami.  Tornado.  Fire.  Flood.  Drought.  During much of 2011 world news headlines have been dominated by natural disasters and the toll they take on lives and infrastructure.  No matter where you live some type of calamity can strike.  In Utah, we know earthquakes are possible even though there hasn't been a major one in 350 years.  And we know geologists continue to tell us that it's overdue.  White wait, we have floods, fire and winter storms to keep us company.

Be Ready Utah is a government agency providing tools to help us be ready for a disaster.  They've defined 4 basic steps:

1. Make a plan.
2. Get a kit.
3. Be informed.
4. Get involved.

Simple steps that, once embraced, change the way we live.  We can live without fear because we are prepared.  We can live ready to act when nature throws it worst at us.  We can live knowing that we will be able to also help others.

Make a Plan

By their very nature, emergencies strike when you don't expect them and the disruption can become a nightmare if you aren't prepared to react and recover from them.  Every home should have a plan to deal with emergency situations that includes information about communication, evacuation, emergency supplies and an out-of-state contact.  Here is a simple form you can use to record your information:  Family Preparedness Plan.  Use it while you:

• Discuss preparedness with your family.
• Pick 3 meeting places - one just outside your home, another location in your neighborhood if your property isn't safe and a regional meeting place if you can't return home.
• Identify an out-of-state contact in case your family gets separated.  Long distance calls may still work when local calls do not.
• Teach children how and when to dial 911.
• Post emergency numbers near all phones in your home.
• Teach children how to use a cell phone.
• Store food and water adequate to each person's needs for 2 weeks.
• Learn about sanitation in emergency situations and gather the materials needed for your family.
• Teach your family how to open window screens and determine at least 2 escape routes from each room in your home.
• Teach your family about drop, cover and hold onto heavy furniture.
• Plan for pet care.
• Learn where the lines are located and how to shut off shut off utility service to your home.
• Practice and improve your plan.

Use today to check out Be Ready Utah for more great information and ideas to get you started on your plan.  Tomorrow we'll tackle emergency sanitation and special needs in more depth.