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Preparing For Emergencies As we head into the worst month of what is supposed to be a difficult hurricane season, it is good to think about what to do for ourselves and our families to prepare for emergencies, whether caused by weather or natural or man-made disaster. Some forethought and preparation can make the difference between a real personal disaster and mere inconvenience. Some preparations are obvious. Everyone should have some basic supplies in their home to help them though power outages. Flashlights, batteries, safe candles, matches and a battery operated radio or TV should be somewhere accessible and easily found in the dark. It can be helpful to have enough bottled water to get through a day or two without safe running water, more if your water supply comes from a well and is dependent upon electricity. Have some food in your pantry that does not require refrigeration or cooking. You should know your area's evacuation procedures and be aware whether your home is in a flood prone area. Everyone needs to stay aware of potential bad weather, especially during the months when hurricanes, tornadoes and ice storms are most likely. If dangerous weather is likely, pack a bag with necessities in case you need to quickly evacuate. Make sure to include a supply of any medicines needed by family members. Appropriate clothes, toiletry items, a first aid kit, diapers, and blankets or sleeping bags should be available to be put in the car quickly in case of the sudden need to leave your home. You should make sure that there is gas in your car and cash in your wallet when bad weather threatens. If you have portable phones in your home, make sure that you have at least one traditional plug-in phone, since portable phones do not work when the power is out. Have a plan to get in contact with other family members in the event of an emergency. Schools may close early and sometimes busses do not or cannot run. Be aware of the location of emergency shelters in your community. If you do have to leave your home, have a plan to let someone know where you will be going and stay in contact with loved ones. If you have pets be sure that you can either leave a supply of food and water in your home or have a place to take them. Emergency shelters do not allow pets. Again, think ahead so that you are prepared in an emergency. Every time a storm threatens, people mob grocery stores and Wal-Mart grabbing last minute emergency supplies. In a part of the country where weather emergencies are a given, it makes much more sense to be prepared before the emergency situation arises. And when an unpredictable emergency occurs, a prepared family is less likely to panic and more likely to take the situation in stride. |
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