The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency.Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it--on the refrigerator or bulletin board. For additional information about how to prepare for hazards in your community, contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross chapter.
For a complete guide to preparedness download the Disaster Preparedness Brochure on the DC ARES web page.
In the event of a disaster, be sure to listen to a live radio station in your area. Most stations are automated and will not have up to date information. In the Roseburg area listen to KQEN 1240 AM, it is a live station and updates will be current. In the Reedsport area listen to KDUN 1030 AM.
Find out which disasters
could occur in your area.
Ask how to prepare for
each disaster.
Ask how you would be warned
of an emergency.
Learn your community's
evacuation routes.
Ask about special assistance
for elderly or disabled persons.
Also...
Ask your workplace about
emergency plans.
Learn about emergency plans
for your children's school or day care center.
Create an Emergency Plan
Meet with household members
to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and
other emergencies. Explain
how to respond to each.
Find the safe spots in
your home for each type of disaster.
Discuss what to do about
power outages and personal injuries.
Draw a floor plan of your
home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
Show family members how
to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches when
necessary.
Post emergency telephone
numbers near telephones.
Teach children how and
when to call 911, police and fire.
Instruct household members
to turn on the radio for emergency information.
Pick one-out-of state and
one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated
during a disaster (it is
often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).
Teach children your out-of-state
contact's phone number.
Pick two emergency meeting
places:
1) A place near your home
in case of a fire.
2) A place outside your
neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
Take a basic first aid
and CPR class.
Keep family records in
a water and fire proof container.
Have a place to house your
pets. Pets are not allowed in shelters.
Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit
Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them
in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffle bag.
Include:
A supply of water (one
gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable
containers. Identify
the storage date and replace every six months.
A supply of non-perishable
packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
A change of clothing, rain
gear and sturdy shoes.
Blankets or sleeping bags.
A first aid kit and prescription
medications.
An extra pair of glasses.
A battery-powered radio,
flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
Credit cards and cash.
An extra set of car keys.
A list of family physicians.
A list of important family
information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as
pacemakers.
Special items for infants,
elderly or disabled family members.