Disaster Preparedness: What You Need to Know

 Disasters can happen at any time, and it's important to be prepared. Disaster preparedness is the process of planning and taking steps to reduce the impact of a disaster. It can help you and your family stay safe and recover more quickly after a disaster. 

 There are many different types of disasters, including natural disasters (such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes), man-made disasters (such as fires, explosions, and terrorist attacks), and technological disasters (such as nuclear accidents and chemical spills). 

 No matter what type of disaster you are facing, there are steps you can take to prepare. These steps include: 

  • Creating an emergency plan. Your emergency plan should include information on how you will communicate with each other, where you will go if you need to evacuate, and what supplies you will need.
  • Gathering supplies. You should have a supply of food, water, and other essentials on hand in case of an emergency.
  • Learning first aid and other emergency skills. This will help you to stay safe and help others in the event of a disaster.

Here is more information about each of these steps:

Creating an emergency plan: 

 Your emergency plan should include the following information: 

  • Contact information for family members and friends 
  • A meeting place outside of your home 
  • A plan for evacuating your home 
  • A plan for staying in your home if you cannot evacuate

Gathering supplies: 

 You should have a supply of food, water, and other essentials on hand in case of an emergency. The following items are recommended for a 72-hour kit: 

  • Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods such as canned goods, granola bars, and trail mix 
  • Water: one gallon of water per person per day 
  • First aid kit 
  • Flashlight Battery-powered or hand-crank radio 
  • Extra batteries 
  • Whistle 
  • Dust mask 
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape 
  • Moist towelettes 
  • Garbage bags 
  • Plastic ties 
  • Wrench or pliers 
  • Manual can opener 
  • Local maps 
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery 

Learning first aid and other emergency skills: 

 This will help you to stay safe and help others in the event of a disaster. The following skills are recommended: 

  • How to stop bleeding 
  • How to treat a burn 
  • How to give CPR 
  • How to use a fire extinguisher 
  • How to create a shelter 
  • How to find food and water in the wild
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that you and your family are prepared for a disaster.

If you are not already prepared for a disaster, we encourage you to start planning today. It could save your life.

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