A GUIDE TO ASSEMBLING AN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TOOL KIT

Transcription

1 A GUIDE TO ASSEMBLING AN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TOOL KIT This guide is put together to assist you in assembling an Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit so that you will be prepared in the event of an emergency. Regardless of who you are, planning for emergencies and natural disasters is an important part of being responsible. The tools and checklists in this guide are useful tips on creating step-by-step emergency plans. Making an emergency plan and tool kit is no small task. You may want to include family, friends, neighbors, and local organizations that can provide support. Your kit does not have to include everything suggested, but it is essential to plan ahead. Because everyone s situation varies, not all subjects of emergency preparedness are covered in this guide. Think about your personal requirements and plan in advance for what you will need to stay safe in an emergency. Note that people with disabilities may require extra planning for their special needs. If you have a disability, you may need to make additional arrangements to handle an emergency. SOME PLAN IS BETTER THAN NO PLAN. YOU CAN DO IT!

2 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TOOL KIT CHECKLIST Below is a checklist for 10 steps to emergency preparedness. Check off each section as you review and complete them. o 1. Know what types of emergencies that could affect your community and think about what the neighborhood could look like if one happened. o 2. Complete a personal assessment. Consider what you will be capable of doing and what assistance you would need before, during, and after an emergency. Put your answers to paper for future reference. o 3. Create a support group that can lend assistance in an emergency. This group can be comprised of family, friends, neighbors and care providers. o 4. Write up an emergency information list so others will know whom to contact if you are unconscious or unable to speak and if you need assistance vacating your home. o 5. Compile a medical information list so others can assist you in the event you are found unconscious or unable to communicate your needs. Include the names and phone numbers of your doctors, list any medical conditions including allergies you may have, list all medications you may be taking with their directions and any special equipment you use with instructions on how to use it.

3 o 6. Try to keep a seven-day supply of medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist what you should do if you cannot get any refills right away. If you receive specialized treatments at a clinic, ask your health care professional what you should do if you cannot get your treatments during an emergency. o 7. Make sure you have at least one smoke detector on each floor of your home and test them once a month. Locate the controls and valves for your water, electricity, gas and sewer and learn how to turn them off during an emergency. Formulate and diagram your evacuation routes and safety areas to meet during an emergency and post it in your home. o 8. Create a summary checklist to ensure your emergency plan includes every problem you might encounter. o 9. Make an emergency supply kit and keep it in a location where you can easily access it in an emergency. You can keep one in your home, car, at your workplace and anywhere else you may spend your time. Include food and water, a first aid kit, batteries, sanitizing wipes, supplies for your pet(s) and any special medical equipment you may need. o 10. Make your home and workplace safer by evaluating hallways, windows, stairwells, doorways and any other structures for problems that may hinder your ability to exit a building safely during an emergency.

4 What Types of Emergencies Might You Expect?

5 WHAT EMERGENCIES MIGHT YOU EXPECT IN YOUR COMMUNITY??? Storms Floods Tsunamis Power Outages Extreme Weather Conditions Fires Earthquakes Contagious Disease Outbreaks Volcanic Eruptions Terrorist Attacks

6 STORM OR FLOOD DO: If you are experiencing a storm and/or flood: DO listen to your local news for emergency messages and instructions. DO unplug your electrical appliances. Shut off electrical circuits if you are advised by authorities to leave your home. Turn off your gas service if authorities tell you to. If your car stalls during a flood, DO get out of the car without delay, and get to higher ground. DO NOT: DO NOT attempt to drive through a flooded road. DO NOT walk through moving water. If your only escape is to walk through flood waters, make sure it is not moving and check how deep the water level is with a stick. DO NOT get in close proximity to water that is touching power lines that have fallen. DO NOT walk through water that has come into your basement or garage. DO NOT permit children to play around high waters, storm drains, or any flooded areas.

7 Tsunami (soo-nah-mee) Tsunami waves can be caused by any large, abrupt disturbance of the sea surface and are most commonly generated by an earthquake. A tsunami wave can cause local devastation if the disturbance is near a coastline. Even if you do not live close to an ocean, you may vacation or visit close by. You should educate yourself on what to do regardless of where you live. When you take a trip near an ocean or bay, ask the hotel staff, campground managers, or local authorities what their community emergency plan is in the event of a tsunami warning. Ask if there is a particular television or radio station in the area for emergency announcements. Become familiar with the siren alarms in that area. In some coastal communities, a certain siren sound may be the warning to evacuate, and a different sound pattern may mean all clear. Locate the road signs that show the evacuation route and do not hesitate to ask questions about any of the local emergency evacuation procedures.

8 In other words, move to higher ground swiftly if: 1. Authorities give a tsunami warning and inform you to leave your home, campground or hotel. 2. You hear the Outdoor Warning System and it is not a test. 3. There is an earthquake that shakes so much you cannot stand and that lasts longer than 20 seconds. 4. You notice water moving away from the shoreline.

9 EARTHQUAKE IF YOU ARE INDOORS WHEN SHAKING STARTS: DO: DO drop, cover, and hold on. DO lie on the floor against an inside wall or door jams. Cover your head and neck with your arms. DO lock the wheels of your wheelchair, if you use one. Cover your head. DO stay away from windows, hanging objects, mirrors, heavy furniture, large appliances, and cabinets/shelves filled with heavy objects. DO stay where you are. If you are in bed cover your head with a pillow. DO stay inside a building unless there is a fire or gas leak. DO NOT: DO NOT leave your house during strong shaking, unless there is a fire or gas leak. DO NOT use elevators.

10 IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS WHEN SHAKING BEGINS: DO: DO move to a clear area if you can get there safely. DO pull your car to the side of the road and stop in a clear area. DO head to higher ground if you are on the beach. DO NOT: DO NOT go anywhere near power lines, buildings, or trees. WHEN THE SHAKING STOPS: DO: DO check anyone around you for injuries. Provide first aid if you know how. DO assess your surroundings for dangerous conditions such as fallen power lines, damaged building(s), and fires. DO extinguish small fires with a fire extinguisher. If you don t have one, purchase one and learn how to use it. Make sure to store it somewhere in your home where you can easily reach it in an emergency. DO place phones back on their receivers if they have fallen during the quake.

11 DO NOT: DO NOT move people with serious injuries unless they are in further danger. DO NOT turn off the gas unless you smell a gas leak. If you do smell gas, turn it off immediately. Once off, DO NOT try to turn your gas on again yourself. You must contact the gas company to restore your gas service. IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN DEBRIS: DO: DO cover your nose and mouth. DO tap on a pipe or wall; use a whistle or a radio to make enough noise so rescuers can hear where you are. DO NOT: DO NOT move around very much and avoid kicking up dust. DO NOT scream and shout only; do so as a last resort.

12 EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS In extreme weather conditions look to your local authorities to inform you where there are shelters that can help keep you cool or warm. You may want to consider staying with friends or family if the extreme weather is anticipated to last several days. If the weather is extremely cold: DO: DO Keep plenty of food and water to last at least 3 to 5 days. DO store warm clothing, gloves, hats, scarves and a sleeping bag for each person, somewhere in your house that you can easily reach. DO be sure to keep plenty of dry wood and matches for your fireplace, if you have one. DO head to a heated shelter or stay with family or friends if you are unable to keep your home warm.

13 If the weather is extremely hot: DO: DO use a fan and drink plenty of water if you do not have air conditioning. DO put wet towels on your head and body to keep cool. DO go to places with air conditioning, like a shopping mall, theater, or church for the hottest part of the day. You may even want to stay with family or friends who have air conditioning.

14 FIRE If your smoke detector goes off or you see a fire DO: DO stay calm and leave your house or the building you are in. Call 911 for emergency assistance from another location. DO avoid smoke fumes by dropping to the floor and crawling to a safe place. Use the back of your hand to check doors, if a door is hot find another way out. If your clothes catch on fire, DO stop, drop and roll where you are until the flames are out. If you are trapped with no way out, DO stay close to the floor and near a window. Continue to signal for help untill emergency assistance arrives. DO NOT: DO NOT open doors that feel hot when you touch them with the back of your hand. DO NOT open doors if smoke is coming out from under the door. DO NOT go back into your house or the building you were in until authorities tell you it is safe.

15 POWER OUTAGE If there is a power outage in your neighborhood: DO: DO unplug all your appliances, computers and television sets. DO leave one light on so you will know when the power comes back on. DO stop at intersections controlled by a traffic signal as if there were a stop sign while the signal is not working. DO make sure food is stored properly. If you do not store food at the right temperature you could run the risk of food borne illness. DO NOT: DO NOT use a gas stove to heat your house. DO NOT use generators inside your house or garage. DO NOT use candles as they can easily fall and cause fires.

16 VOLCANIC ERUPTION When a volcano erupts it can release a whole host of caustic debris, poisonous gasses, flying rocks and molten lava. The debris and poisonous gasses can travel great distances, causing damage to much of the land in its wake. If there is a volcanic eruption near you: DO: DO listen to the news for emergency information. DO leave your house immediately if authorities tell you to. DO watch out for mud flows. Mud flows can move faster than you can run. DO wear long sleeves and pants DO wear glasses instead of contact lenses and use goggles if you have them. DO wear a dust mask or hold a damp cloth over your face to help you breathe. Stock your home, car and workplace with dust masks to use and to share with others.

17 DO stay inside your home unless you think your roof is going to collapse. Clear heavy ash from flat or low roofs and gutters. Keep doors, windows, vents and chimneys closed. DO NOT: DO NOT operate a vehicle, ash can clog engines and cause your car to stall. If you must drive, don t go over 35 miles an hour. Bring extra oil filters and air filters in case you have to drive when there is a lot of ash in the air. Make sure you carry instructions on how to change the filters and keep them in your vehicle.

18 TERRORIST ATTACKS Terrrorists are any one or any group that wish to instill fear by using various types of weapons. They believe that through fear and destruction they can gain control for what ever their plight might be. The best way to stay safe from terrorism is to be aware of your surroundings. To stay safe from terrorist attacks: DO: DO NOT: DO take an over view of your surroundings. Look for things you may need in an emergency, like emergency exits, fire alarms and fire extinguishers. DO inform someone in charge - like a store manager, supervisor, firefighter, or law enforcement officer if you hear or see something that looks suspicious. DO stay calm if there is an emergency and DO what authorities tell you to do in order to stay safe. DO NOT spread rumors. If you are told something about a terrorist attack, check the information with the authorities.

19 CONTAGIOUS DISEASE EMERGENCIES A contagious disease outbreak can cause a lot of people to become sick. The majority of contagious disease emergencies are caused by some form of the flu. Many people may not feel well and need to seek a health care provider or go to the hospital. If the disease is very serious, it can sometimes lead to death. In the event of a contagious disease emergency in Oregon, the State or County Department of Public Health will provide you with tips on how to stay healthy and measures to take to avoid contracting the contagion through news reports in the newspapers, on television and on the radio. If there is a contagious disease emergency: DO: DO listen to news reports for information and instructions from authorities. DO avoid leaving home unless you need to go out. Wear latex gloves and a mask that covers your nose and mouth if you have to leave the house.

20 DO cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing DO wash your hands often. DO avoid persons that are not feeling well and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth when out and about. DO practice good health habits. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods. DO seek medical attention from a doctor if you have a high temperature, vomiting, sneezing, coughing and body chills as these are flu like symptoms that could become a serious health emergency.

21 EMERGENCY SUPPORT GROUP

22 Emergency Support Group Select three to four people to be your emergency contacts that will check on you during an emergency and to lend help and support if needed. It is important to select more than one person just in case they are unavailable if you need help. People you may want to include in Your Emergency Support Group: Family Friends Co-workers Care Givers Neighbors Roommates People you attend church, temple, or any place of worship Essential things to discuss with Your Emergency Support Group: Settle on and practice a way to communicate. Figure out how you would make contact with each other if your telephone/cell phone was not working, if your electricity goes out, or both. Give a set of your keys to somebody you trust.

23 Let your support group know where you keep your emergency supplies. Show them your escape plan, emergency documents, and health information card. Let your group know when you will be out of town and leave them contact information where you can be reached. Practice your emergency plans with your support group. Ask yourself these questions: Is each person capable of providing assistance? How accessible are they for support? Can they all guide you safely? Check with your support group periodically to ask if they are still able to help you in an emergency.

24 Situation and Ability Assessment Every person s situation is different and requires personal assessment of ones abilities before, during and after an emergency. Ask yourself what you are capable of doing for yourself and others in any emergency situation; be realistic about your capabilities and your limitations. Make a list of your needs and your resources for meeting them throughout an emergency. If you have children, especially young ones, you will need to take into account your ability to care for them and a plan if you are unable to care for them. Think about the questions on the next few pages and write them down and share them with your support group. These answers should describe both your present physical abilities and the help you will need during an emergency. Your plans should encompass the best and worst case scenarios.

25 1) DAILY LIVING Do you need help with personal care or the care of a family member? My plan today: Help I may need: What will you do if water service is off for a prolonged period of time and you are unable to heat water? My plan today: Help I may need:

26 What if your electricity goes out for an extended period of time? How will you heat/cool your home, run any special equipment/appliances or cook food? My plan today: Help I may need: Do you have any special equipment or adaptive devices necessary for you or a family member s mobility, to prepare and/or eat or to treat a medical condition- such as power chairs, feeding tubes, nebulizers and dialysis machines? My plan today: Help I may need:

27 2) CLEAN UP AND GETTING AROUND How will you clean up the debris in and around your home after an emergency? My plan today: Help I may Need: Will you be able to drive before, during and/or after an emergency? How will you get groceries, medications, and medical supplies? My plan today: Help I may need:

28 What evacuation plans do you have? Will you or someone else need assistance leaving your home or office? Are there other exits you can use if the elevator is not working or the main exit is blocked? My plan today: Help I may need: 3) COMMUNICATION AND CARE PLAN How will you communicate with your emergency support group or local emergency services if the telephone lines and cell phones are not working? My plan today: Help I may need:

29 Will you need help caring for a spouse or children? Do they have any special needs, like diapers, formula, bottles or medical equipment? My plan today: Help I may need: How will you care for your animals during and after an emergency? Who will care for your animals if you are unable to? My plan today: Help I may need:

30 EMERGENCY CONTACT LISTS [

31 NEIGHBOR CONTACT LIST Name and Address Home Phone Cell Phone Work Phone

32 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LIST EMERGENCY SERVICES PHONE NUMBER Emergency 911 Police Department Fire Department Other SUPPORT GROUP PHONE NUMBER (FAMILY, FRIENDS,CO-WORKERS) DOCTORS/MEDICAL FACILITIES PHONE NUMBERS

33 PERSONAL MEDICAL INFORMATION (MAKE ONE FOR EACH PERSON LIVING W/YOU) NAME: BIRTH DATE: SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: ADDRESS: HOME PHONE: BLOOD TYPE: CELL PHONE: PRIMARY DR & PHONE NUMBER: INSURANCE: POLICY NUMBER: ID NUMBER: MEDICATIONS: DOSAGE TAKEN: ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES: SPECIAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS/IMPAIRMENTS

34 EVACUATION SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

35 Deciding to Stay or Go The first decision you need to make during an emergency is whether you should stay or leave. Stay as best informed by local news and athorities as possible and plan for both possibilities based on the information you are given. There may be time when it is safer to stay put rather than leave where you are. If you see debris in the air, or if local autorities say the air is contaminated, stay inside! If the air is contaminated, it could be dangerous to breathe. If local authorities tell you to vacate your home or seek medical care, grab your emergency supply kit and leave immediately. Your emergency supply kit should contain the things you need in an emergency situation away from home. Keep it in a location that is easy to reach when you need it. It is also a good idea to keep a To Go bag that you can carry and is big enough to hold your keys, cell phone, wallet with identification, a change of clothes, medications, first aid supplies, food, water, flashlight, pet supplies, check book and cash. Remember to grab this bag if you have to leave your home quickly in the event of an emergency.

36 In the Event that You Must Shelter in Place and Seal the Room: Bring your family and pets indoors. Lock your doors and close windows, air vents, and fireplace dampers. Select a room that is at the center of your home that does not have many windows. Make sure to grab your emergency supply kit unless you believe it has been contaminated. Seal all the windows, doors, air vents and fireplace openings with plastic sheeting and duct tape. To save time you may want to measure and cut the sheeting ahead of time to avoid having to do so during an emergency. Turn off all forced air heating and air conditioning systems and fans. Watch, listen or check the Internet often for official news reports and instructions from local authorities.

37 SUPPLIES TO GATHER TOGETHER o A purse or bag o Extra money, keep the amounts small, like ones and fives and quarters, dimes and nickels. Remember ATMs may not be functioning before, during or after an emergency. o Bottled water and water purification tablets o Food, store enough canned or dried food to last 3-5 days o First Aid supplies and fire extinguisher o Can opener o Paper towels and plastic utensils o Plastic garbage bags o Toilet paper and feminine products o Hand sanitizer or liquid soap, toothbrush/paste and shampoo o Paper to write on and pens, pencils and crayons o Cell phone. Save your emergency contacts phone numbers under the name ICE, this stands for In Case of Emergency. Police officers and firefighters will know how to look for the number if you need help. o Flashlight that runs on batteries or can be wound.

38 o Health Information, emergency contacts and Emergency Papers Medicine with dossaging instructions, make sure you have a weeks worth. o Signaling device, like a whistle, bell, or beeper. o Small radio that runs on batteries or can be wound. o Watch or clock that runs on batteries or can be wound. o Blanket o Extra batteries o Cook stove with fuel o Heavy gloves, warm coat and full change of clothing o Duct tape and cloth tape to wrap your feet under your socks to prevent blisters. o Comfortable shoes and extra socks o Sun block and lip balm with SPF o Special equipment specific to your needs, like extra contact lenses or glasses, communication devices, hearing aids and batteries, or mobility aids. o Other personal items I may need:

39 Storing Emergency Supplies Make sure to choose a safe place to store your emergency supply kits. Select places that are cool in temperature and dark, like a garage or closet. If your living space is small, get creative. Put your emergency supply kits under your bed or stair well. Make sure you store your emergency supplies in a sturdy container that wont break easily. Layer your supplies in a large container, possibly on wheels. Put toothbrushes, soap and personal supplies into a box and place at the bottom of the container. Next place your clothing and blankets. Place your water, food, eating and cooking utensils and your first aid kit on top so you can readily reach them. If you re a camper or outdoorsman, you already have a head start. You can utilize your camping gear as part of your emergency supplies. Storing Water You will want to make sure to store enough water for everyone in your family to drink, at least 3 days worth. Here are some tips to think about when storing water: o Each person will need approximately one gallon of water daily to drink, cook and wash with. o If you have pets you will need to factor in extra water for your pet to drink. o Put reminders on your calendar to replace your water in your emergency supply kit every six months.

40 In some prolonged situations, you might need to use water from your hot water heater. Be sure to turn off the gas or electricity to the tank prior to taking any water. Since the water from your hot water heater is unfiltered it will not be safe to drink or use for cooking or cleaning unless you boil it first and let it cool. In the event that you are unable to boil the water you can use water purification tablets, a filter system or add a few drops of hosehold bleach to it. Storing Food o Adding bleach to your water can be tricky. Look at the ingredients to make sure it contains 5.25% hypochlorite. o The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends adding 16 drops of bleach per 1 gallon of contaminated water to make it safe for drinking. Canned foods store easily and last a long time. Select items that are ready-to-eat, like canned meats, fruits, and vegetables that you and your family like eating. Put a reminder on your calendar to check the expiration dates on your food supplies every six months to insure they are safe to eat. You can eat the food that is going to expire soon and buy new food for your emergency supply kit. Purchase canned or dried juice mixes, powdered or canned milk, cereals and rice. Select foods that provide high energy, like peanutbutter, jelly, crackers, unsalted nuts and trail mix. Make sure your food is stored at the correct temperature. Some foods spoil if not properly stored and could make you sick if you eat them.

41 Don t forget your pets! Make sure to store some canned or dried pet food and an extra collar and leash. Pets are generally not allowed in emergency shelters. You may have to leave your pets at home with extra food and water if you are told to evacuate by local authorities. Make sure you pack a can opener, cooking and eating utensils, and some basic food seasonings in your emergency supply kit. Examples of Foods to Pack You will want to pick foods that you and your family enjoy, that are easy to prepare or are ready to eat. Here is a list of foods that you may want to consider for your emergency food supply kit: Beef jerky, dried beef or beef sticks Corned beef or roast beef hash Canned chicken and/or canned tuna Applesauce cups or other fruit cups Breadsticks Canned or powdered milk cereal snack packs, granola bars or power bars Fruit rolls or fruit snack packs Beef stew chili with beans Peanuts, raisins or craisins, trail mix Unrefrigerated pudding cups

42 Juice boxes/pouches Cookies, suckers, lollipops, or hard candy Saltine crackers Soup for one Cheese Hot cocoa or iced tea mix Menu Examples: Day 1 Breakfast Cereal Powdered milk Fuit cup Box of orange juice Lunch Cup of soup with Saltine crackers Box of orange juice Pudding cup Dinner Corned beef hash Applesauce Box of grape juice Granola bar

43 Day 2 Breakfast Instant oatmeal Fruit roll Box of apple juice Hot cocoa Lunch Beef jerky Peanuts Applesauce Box of grape juice Dinner Chili with beans and saltine crackers Box of orange juice Unrefrigerated pudding cup Day 3 Breakfast Granola cereal/bar Box of grapefruit juice Iced tea

44 Lunch Box of orange juice Cheese and crackers Fruit cup Dinner Beef stew and breadsticks Box of orange juice Fruit cup

45 Emergency Evacuation Plans In some emergency situations you may find it necessary to leave your home or local authorities may direct you to leave. Keep in mind that you may not be able to contact your support group right away. If you smell gas, see smoke or fire, or fear for your safety for any reason, immediately evacuate everyone in you home. Once you are in a safe place, call and report your emergency. If local authorities tell you to evacuate, follow their instructions. Use the evacuation routes they give you, and carpool if possible. Follow these steps if you are told to leave your home: Decide where you will go beforehand, if you can. Think about at least three places you could go, like a family member s or a friend s house or a hotel. Sometimes emergency shelters are unable to provide you with all the help you may need. Transportation arrangements if you are unable to drive. Make sure to plan for several different ways to leave your home. Think about how you will call for transportation help if the phones and electricity are out. In some communities, local government agencies provide transportation during an emergency. Check with your local police, fire or city hall to see if transportation services are available in your community.

46 Take your emergency supply kit. Be sure to grab your emergency supply kit. Make sure you have your medicine and important documents in your supply kit where they are safe. Figure out what equipment you will need. Decide what equipment is necessary in providing you with the help you need. This may be anything from medical equipment to child care supplies. Talk with your emergency support group and formulate a plan. Discuss exit stratigies if you use adaptive equipment and can t use the stairs. If you have little children, talk about what equipment is essential to their care. Remember if you can live with out it then leave it behind. Take care of your pets. Unlike service animals, your pets may not be allowed into an emergency shelter. Contact your local Red Cross Chapter, Humane Society or your veterinarian for more information about where you can take your pet while you are at a shelter. Turn off the electricity. Except for the refrigerator or freezer, all your electricity should be turned off at the main box. Contact your support group as soon as possible. Call the people in your support group to let them know where you are and how you are doing. If you plan to leave the area let them know where you will be and a phone number that you can be reached at.

47 Be an advocate for you and your family. Practice how to quickly express what your needs are and if there are any special needs for you or a family member. Be ready to give brief, clear and specific instructions to rescue personnel, either verbally or in writing. Practice your plan! Practice your plan several times! Change up anything you find doesn t work in your plan. Involve your support group, if you can, and practice how they may help you. Try varying the times of day when you practice your evacuation. It is a lot more difficult to evacuate at night when you are unable to make out familiar landmarks that usually guide you. Make sure to practice multiple evacuation routes as some routes may be blocked by the disaster. Remember to revise your plan if conditions in your area change or you have to change your support group people. Going to an Emergency Shelter There is no way for local authorities to know where they will set up emergency shelters before an emergency happens because there is no way to predict what will be damaged and what facilities would be safe to utilize as an emergency shelter. When an emergency happens tune into your local news radio or television stations, or call or text your local Red Cross to find out where local authorities plan to set up an emergency shelter in your area. Remember to: Take your emergency supply kit with you to the shelter. Tell your emergency support group where you are going.

48 At first, emergency shelters may not be able to give you basic supplies. Consider bringing extra items you may need like a blanket, pillow, towel and supplies for children and babies. Remember, usually service animals are the only pets permitted in emergency shelters. If you are unable to make plans for your pets, ask the emergency staff at the shelter to see if they may be able to assist you in finding a safe place for your pet.

49 Summary Checklist for Personal Emergency Preparedness Fill in the date you complete each section of your emergency preparedness plan in the space provided. Remember to up date your checklist periodicly. 1. Fill out emergency information lists that include: o Medical and emergency contact information o Personal medical information o Neighbor contact list o Support group contact information o Name and number of a relative or friend who lives more than 100 miles away Date Completed: 2. Attach copies of health insurance cards to your medical information list. Date Completed: 3. Keep at least 7 days worth of your medication. Remember prescriptions for non-narcotic medicines can be used only one year after they are written, and narcotic prescriptions can be used for only 6 months. Have extra copies of your prescriptions. Put reminders on your calendar to go through your medications and prescriptions regularly. Date Completed: Date Re-Checked: Date Re-Checked:

50 4. Discuss with your doctor about what you should do if you do not have enough medication during an emergency. Talk with your pharmacist to find out how long your medication is usable and what temperature it should be stored at. Date Completed: 5. Decide on safe places to go during a/an: o Earthquake o Tornado o Hurricane o Flood o Fire o Tsunami o Terrorist attack Date Completed: 6. Mount at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, making sure to place one near the rooms where you sleep. Date Completed: 7. Locate your utility cutoff valves and switches and learn how to work them. If your home is damaged or local authorities tell you to turn off your utilities, keep in mind: o Know where the electric, gas and water shut off valves are located. o Keep the tools you will need on hand to shut off valves.

51 o Make sure everyone in the family knows how to turn off the utilities. o If you turn off the gas, a professional must turn it back on. DO NOT TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF! Even if you live in an apartment, check with the manager about who would be responsible for turning off the utilities. You may want to organize an emergency planning meeting with your manager and other residents in your building or complex to ensure there is someone able to turn off the utilities. Date Completed: 8. Locate all possible exits from every room in your home and at any other location you spend a large amount of time in. Practice how you would leave through each exit. Date Completed: 9. Draw up a floor plan that includes your main escape routes in your home and post it on the refrigerator or any other place that is easily visable. Decide what equipment you will need for help during an evacuation. Date Completed: 10. In the event emergency assistance is needed be ready to give brief, clear, detailed instructions and directions to rescue personnel. Date Completed:

52 11. If you do not drive, discuss with your support group how you will leave the area if you are told by authorities to evacuate. Ask your local transportation services what emergency plans they have and what transportation services would be available in the event of an emergency. Date Completed: 12. Find out the emergency evacuation plan for where you work or any other location where you spend a lot of time. Date Completed: 13. Make plans for an alternate place to stay if you are unable to go home. Date Completed: 14. Make arrangements for your pet(s) in the event you are unable to take them with you if you must go to a shelter. Date Completed: