Have You Prepared Your Family to Survive After an Emergency?

Growing up I was a military brat. My dad’s service took us all over the U.S. including Alaska (twice), South Carolina (also twice), Georgia, Missouri and California. Where ever we moved, it seemed each area was prone to its own natural disasters. We lived in Alaska when the great quake hit on March 27^th, 1964, a quake that on today’s Richter scale was a 9.2! South Carolina and Georgia had their hurricanes and Missouri is in Tornado Alley. California, of course, has its earthquakes and wildfires.

Wherever you live, you too are subject to natural disasters be they earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes, blizzards or whatever. So, it behooves you to be as prepared as possible for these possibilities. Here in earthquake prone Southern California, the topic of emergency planning and home emergency survival kits often comes up. It seems everyone has thought about it and talked about it but precious few have actually done anything about it. Here are a few things you need to know and some resources to help you be prepared for the unthinkable.

Prepare to Be on Your Own

After a natural disaster or other emergency you may be on your own for several days before emergency assistance may be available. The federal government suggests that you be prepared to survive on your own for up to 72 hours (3 days). This means you need to have your own food, water, shelter and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Emergency responders and relief workers arrive on the scene after a disaster, but they may not be able to reach you immediately. You might get help in hours, days or who knows. In addition, basic services you have come to depend on such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be off for days, weeks or even longer.

Now is the time to prepare for the worst. Not to sound the alarmist but after the emergency occurs is not the time to get this done. Just ask the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Families were separated and isolated. Do you remember the images of looting and violence that came out of New Orleans as the survivors struggled to find the basic necessities to live? Don’t put yourself in that situation. Get prepared now!

Get Educated – Know What to Do

Besides having your emergency survival kit in place, it is wise to do a little study in advance to know what to do in case of disaster. In the USA, the government has an excellent website (www.ready.gov) with all you need to know to be prepared.

Additionally, the USDA has valuable information about how to keep food safe during an emergency as well as a number of other emergency preparedness fact sheets. Take the time to educate yourself before disaster strikes.

Make a Plan

Disasters don’t strike when it is convenient. There is a good chance you and your family won’t all be together when an emergency happens. For example, I work over 50 miles from home. If disaster strikes when I am at work, I may not be able to get home for days. How will you contact one another? How will you all get back together? How will you let relative know you are OK? You need to have a plan to handle this eventuality and to let others know your situation.

The Ready.gov website has valuable information on what you need to know and include in your family emergency plan.

Have a Basic Emergency Kit

Emergency preparedness organizations recommend that a minimal emergency supply kit include:

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation (water purification pills, water filters or a means of boiling water, as an alternative)
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Signal whistle
• Dust Masks to help filter contaminated air
• Tents or plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Item to Consider

Additionally, there are a number of item you should include depending upon your own personal and family situation. Some things to consider are:

• Extra Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet or pets
  
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change (banks may not be open and ATMs not functioning)
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bags or warm blankets for each person (consider your climate here, you may not be able to stay indoors)
• Complete change of weather appropriate clothing
• Fire Extinguisher
• Waterproof matches (or in a waterproof container)
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, gamesor other activities for children

Emergency survival kits can be bought or you can assemble your own. If you assemble your own, be sure to use a durable container. A new vinyl trash can or storage container is great. Also be sure to store it somewhere it can be easily retrieved. Hopefully not, but your home may be in shambles so where you put your emergency kit may require some thought.

A little planning and action now may save your life or the life of a loved one should the unthinkable happen. Minimally, your preparedness may make the emergency you face more comfortable and bearable. None of us want to believe this kind of thing can happen to us but all you have to do is watch the television news to know better. The reality is that disasters and emergencies of all kinds strike around the world daily. Be smart and take action now!