12 Tips to Prepare for Emergencies and Disasters

September is, “Emergency Preparedness Month”. Disaster preparedness experts recommend having enough supplies to sustain yourself, your loved ones and pets for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) in the event of any natural disasters, power disruptions or terrorist events. Here are some highlights of what you should plan to have on hand and how to prepare.

1. Learn Basic First Aid and CPR: Take a class and get trained in advance so if your skills are needed unexpectedly, you’ll be ready.
2. Bottled water: 1 gallon per person per day (have extra on hand for your pets). Running water can become contaminated or not operate at all during power outages and natural disasters.
3. Flashlights: 1 per person (have extra batteries on hand). Don’t use candles as they are a fire hazard.
4. Food: MRE’s “Meals Ready to Eat”, can be purchased from a variety of sports or military surplus stores as well as on the web.  
5. Medications you use on a regular basis; whether prescribed or over the counter. Have an extra supply on hand or keep them in a small case that you can take with you if you have to leave your home fast.
6. Know where your water and gas shut off valves are located and learn how to do it, in the event you have leaks from broken lines.  Keep any tools needed in a centrally located area in your home and make sure everyone knows where they’re at.
7. Have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand in your home and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use it.
8. Obtain an Emergency Generator, if necessary for anyone in your home that uses any life saving medical equipment that requires a power source.
9. Important Legal documents should already be stored in a waterproof/fireproof container that is easy to grab if you need to evacuate your home quickly.
10. Inventory and rotate your supplies each month, check expiration dates and functionality. Choose a date that has meaning for you such as your birthday or the 1^st of each month.
11. Plan escape routes from your home (and city) for various disasters. Always keep a full tank of gas in all vehicles.
12. Communications: Have a battery operated radio on hand for emergencies to facilitate hearing news updates from public safety officials. Always keep your cell phones charged (have a charger in your car too). Make plans to contact and reunite with family members. Local lines may not be operable, so have a back-up contact that's out of town (or out of state) that all family members can contact for checking in with and giving and receiving updates.

Remembering 9/11–Staying Safe in an Unsafe World

We often hear the phrase, “Never Forget” in connection with the date 9/11. Those words can prompt a variety of thoughts, memories and reactions in the minds of those who hear them. Certainly, we don’t want to forget those that perished so violently and senselessly on that day.

For me, the phrase, “Never Forget” means even more:

“Never Forget” to remember those who responded to this terrorist attack; the First Responders at the three scenes that day at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania.  They were firefighters, police officers, paramedics and EMT’s (some of which were also nurses), regular citizens and Military Members (who worked at the Pentagon); all who stepped up to help their fellow human beings. Many lost their lives while helping others.

“Never Forget” the next wave of First Responders; those in the U.S. Military (current and Combat Veterans) who were part of our National response to this attack. Thousands of them continue to fight for our freedom and way of life right now, still in response to 9/11. Thousands have been killed or injured in action while bravely and successfully fighting our enemies. They place themselves at personal risk and spend time away from their families and the comforts of daily living, all to keep us safe.

“Never Forget” to remain vigilant regarding your (or others) safety and health each day.  Whether at home, work, shopping, traveling or playing: Maintaining an awareness of your surroundings and calling 911 for any type of perceived or real threat against yourself or others can help to improve the health and safety of our families, neighborhoods and communities.