30 Tips to Help You Be Prepared Every Day of the Month

Preparedness Tip #1 Take a moment to imagine that there is an emergency, like a fire in your home, and you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down — you've got the beginning of a plan.

Preparedness Tip #2
Pick a place to meet after a disaster. Designate two meeting places. Choose one right outside your home, in case of a sudden household emergency, such as a fire. The second place you choose needs to be outside your neighborhood, in the event that it is not safe to stay near or return to your home.

Preparedness Tip #3
Choose an emergency contact person outside your area because it may be easier to call long distance than locally after a local/regional disaster. Take a minute now to call or e-mail an out-of-town friend or family member to ask him or her to be your family's designated contact in the event of an emergency. Be sure to share the contact's phone number with everyone in the family. During an emergency, you can call your contact who can share with other family members where you are; how you are doing; and how to get in contact with you.

Preparedness Tip #4
Complete an emergency contact card and make copies for each member of your family to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact on your contact card. It may be easier to reach someone out of town if local phone lines are out of service or overloaded. You should also have at least one traditionally wired landline phone, as cordless or cellular phones may not work in an emergency. Visit www.redcross.org or www.ready.gov for sample emergency contact cards.

Preparedness Tip #5
Dogs may be man's best friend, but due to health regulations, most emergency shelters cannot house animals. Find out in advance how to care for your pets and working animals when disaster strikes. Pets should not be left behind, but could be taken to a veterinary office, family member's home or animal shelter during an emergency. Also be sure to store extra food and water for pets. For more information, visit the Animal Safety section on www.redcross.org or visit the Humane Society Web site at www.hsus.org.

Preparedness Tip #6
Go through your calendar now, and put a reminder on it — every six months — to review your plan, update numbers, and check supplies to be sure nothing has expired, spoiled, or changed. Also remember to practice your tornado, fire escape or other disaster plans.

Preparedness Tip #7
Check your child's school Web site or call the school office to request a copy of the school's emergency plan. Keep a copy at home and work or other places where you spend a lot of your time and make sure the school's plan is incorporated into your family's emergency plan. Also, learn about the disaster plans at your workplace or other places where you and your family spend time.

Preparedness Tip #8
Teach your children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for help. Post these and other emergency telephone numbers by telephones.

Preparedness Tip #9
Practice. Conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are blocked or gridlocked. Practice shelter-in-place drills at home. Commit a weekend to update telephone numbers, emergency supplies and review your plan with everyone.

Preparedness Tip #10
A community working together during an emergency makes sense.

• Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together during an emergency.
• Find out if anyone has specialized equipment like a power generator, or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis.
• Decide who will check on elderly or disabled neighbors.
• Make back-up plans for children in case you can't get home in an emergency.
• Sharing plans and communicating in advance is a good strategy

Preparedness Tip #11
What if disaster strikes while you're at work? Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace? While many companies have been more alert and pro-active in preparing for disasters of all types since the September 11, 2001 attacks, a national survey indicates that many employees still don't know what their workplace plan is for major or minor disasters. If you don't know yours, make a point to ask. Know multiple ways to exit your building, participate in workplace evacuation drills, and consider keeping some emergency supplies at the office. Visit www.ready.gov and click on Ready Business for more information about business preparedness.

Preparedness Tip #12
You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation. The basics to stock in your portable kit include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities. Keep these items in an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack, or a duffle bag.

Preparedness Tip #13
Preparing for emergencies needn't be expensive if you're thinking ahead and buying small quantities at a time. Make a list of some foods that:

• Have a long shelf-life and will not spoil (non-perishable).
• You and your family like.
• Do not require cooking.
• Can be easily stored.
• Have a low salt content as salty foods will make you more thirsty.

Keep the list in your purse or wallet and pick up a few items each time you're shopping and/or see a sale until you have built up a well-stocked supply that can sustain each member of your family for at least three days following an emergency.

Preparedness Tip #14
Take a minute to check your family's first aid kit, and note any depleted items — then, add them to your shopping list. Don't have a first aid kit? Add that to the list or build a kit yourself. See our "First Aid" tab for a list of items. Consider creating a kit for each vehicle as well.

Preparedness Tip #15
Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person. Store one gallon of water per person, per day. Three gallons per person per day will give you enough to drink and for limited cooking and personal hygiene. Remember to plan for pets. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and strenuous activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick will also need more.

Preparedness Tip #16
One of the easiest ways you can prepare for emergencies is to keep some supplies readily available especially incase you need to leave your home quickly. Every kit is unique and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your family, see our "Household/Family" and "Go Bag" tabs for lists of what to have on hand.

Preparedness Tip #17
Also include items for sanitation in your emergency supply kit. Consider the following:

Sanitation (Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)

• Toilet paper, towelettes*
• Soap, liquid detergent*
• Feminine supplies*
• Personal hygiene items*
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)*
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Preparedness Tip #18
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person in your emergency supply kit. We suggest long pants and long sleeves for additional protection after a disaster.

(Essential Items are Marked with an Asterisk *

• Sturdy shoes or work boots*
• Rain gear*
• Blankets or sleeping bags*
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

Preparedness Tip #19
You should also keep a smaller version of your emergency supply kit in your vehicle, in case you are commuting or traveling when disaster strikes.

Emergency Kit For Your Vehicle:

• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Booster cables
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• First aid kit and manual
• Maps
• Shovel
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Flares or other emergency marking devices

Preparedness Tip #20
Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Review emergency action steps with all family members:

• Check the scene and the victim
• Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number posted by the telephone
• Care for the victim

Help your children learn more about emergencies by visiting Red Cross' "Masters of Disaster."

Preparedness Tip #21
Read the information on your city, county and/or state government Print emergency preparedness information including your communication plan. Be sure to keep a copy with your disaster supplies kit. It can provide telephone numbers, addresses and other information you need when electronic connections are not available options for obtaining the information.

Preparedness Tip #22
When water is of questionable purity, it is easiest to use bottled water for drinking and cooking if it is available. When it's not available, it is important to know how to treat contaminated water. In addition to having a bad odor and taste, water from questionable sources may be contaminated by a variety of microorganisms, including, bacteria and parasites that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis. Flood water can also be contaminated by toxic chemicals. Do NOT try to treat flood water. All water of uncertain purity should be treated before use. See our "Water" tab for ways to treat water.

Preparedness Tip #23
In some emergencies you may be required to turn off your utilities. To prepare for this type of event:

• Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
• Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves
• Teach adult family members how to turn off utilities.

If you turn off the gas, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself. See our "Utilities" tab for more information.

Preparedness Tip #24
Understand that during an emergency you may be asked to "shelter-in-place" or evacuate.
Plan for both possibilities and be prepared to listen to instructions from your local emergency management officials. See our "Shelter-In-Place" tab for more information.

Preparedness Tip #25
A disaster can cause significant financial loss. Your apartment or home may be severely damaged or destroyed. You may be forced to live in temporary housing. Income may be cut off or significantly reduced. Important financial records could be destroyed. Take the time now to assess your situation and ask questions.

To help you, consider using the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), a tool developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps or contact your local Red Cross chapter for Disasters and Financial Planning: A Guide for Preparedness.

Preparedness Tip #26
Learn what natural risks are in your area by contacting your local emergency management office, local American Red Cross chapter, or state geological survey or department of natural resources.

Preparedness Tip #27
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss. As much as 90 percent of the damage related to all natural disasters (excluding draught) is caused by floods and associated debris flow. Most communities in the United States can experience some kind of flooding. Melting snow can combine with rain in the winter and early spring; severe thunderstorms can bring heavy rain in the spring or summer; or hurricanes can bring intense rainfall to coastal and inland states in the summer and fall. Regardless of how a flood occurs, the rule for being safe is simple: head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater. Even a shallow depth of fast-moving floodwater produces more force than most people imagine. You can protect yourself by being prepared and having time to act. Local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio are the best sources of information in a flood situation. See our "Storm & Flooding" tab for more information.

Preparedness Tip #28
When there is concern about a potential exposure to a chemical or other airborne hazard, local officials may advise you to "shelter-in-place " and "seal the room." This is different from taking shelter on the lowest level of your home in case of a natural disaster like a tornado. If you believe the air may be badly contaminated or if you are instructed by local officials, follow the instructions below to create a temporary barrier between you and the contaminated air outside.

To shelter-in-place and seal-the-room:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your disaster supplies kit and turn on your battery-powered radio.
• Go to an interior room that is above ground level and without windows, if possible. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
• If directed by local authorities on the radio, use duct tape to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room. Tape plastic sheeting, such as heavy-duty plastic garbage bags, over any windows.
• Listen to your radio or television for further instructions. Local officials will tell you when you can leave the room in which you are sheltering, or they may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community

Preparedness Tip #29
If there is an explosion:

• Take shelter against your desk or a sturdy table.
• Exit the building immediately.
• Do not use elevators.
• Check for fire and other hazards.
• Take your emergency supply kit if time allows.

If there is a fire:

• Exit the building immediately.
• If there is smoke, crawl under the smoke to the nearest exit and use a cloth, if possible, to cover your nose and mouth.
• Use the back of your hand to feel the upper, lower, and middle parts of closed doors.
• If the door is not hot, brace yourself against it and open slowly.
• If the door is hot, do not open it. Look for another way out.
• Do not use elevators.
• If your clothes catch on fire, stop-drop-and-roll to put out the fire. Do not run.
• If you are at home, go to your previously designated outside meeting place.
• Account for your family members and carefully supervise small children.
• GET OUT and STAY OUT. Never go back into a burning building.
• Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

Preparedness Tip #30
Unlike an explosion, a biological attack may or may not be immediately obvious. Most likely local health care workers will report a pattern of unusual illness or a wave of sick people seeking medical attention. The best source of information will be radio or television reports.
Understand that some biological agents, such as anthrax, do not cause contagious diseases. Others, like the smallpox virus, can result in diseases you can catch from other people.
In the event of a biological attack, public health officials may not immediately be able to provide information on what you should do. It will take time to determine exactly what the illness is, how it should be treated, and who may have been exposed. You should watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for official news including the following:

• Are you in the group or area authorities believe may have been exposed?
• What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
• Are medications or vaccines being distributed?
• Where? Who should get them and how?
• Where should you seek emergency medical care if you become sick?

During a declared biological emergency:

• If a family member becomes sick, it is important to be suspicious.
• Do not assume, however, that you should go to a hospital emergency room or that any illness is the result of the biological attack. Symptoms of many common illnesses may overlap.
• Use common sense, practice good hygiene and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs, and seek medical advice.
• Consider if you are in the group or area authorities believe to be in danger.
• If your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk, immediately seek emergency medical attention.

If you are potentially exposed:

• Follow instructions of doctors and other public health officials.
• If the disease is contagious expect to receive medical evaluation and treatment. You may be advised to stay away from others or even deliberately quarantined.
• For non-contagious diseases, expect to receive medical evaluation and treatment.

If you become aware of an unusual and suspicious substance nearby:

• Quickly get away.
• Protect yourself. Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow breathing. Examples include two to three layers of cotton such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel. Otherwise, several layers of tissue or paper towels may help.
• Wash with soap and water.
• Contact authorities.
• Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for official news and information including what the signs and symptoms of the disease are, if medications or vaccinations are being distributed and where you should seek medical attention if you become sick.
• If you become sick seek emergency medical attention.

Household / Family

There are four simple steps to preparing your entire family for disaster, whenever and wherever it strikes.

Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. While there are many things that might make you more comfortable, think first about fresh water, food and clean air.

Consider putting together two kits. In one, put everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to get away.

You will need to make sure your have a gallon of water per person, per day for drinking and sanitation. Include in the kits a three day supply of non-perishable foods that are easy to store and prepare such as protein bars, dried fruit or canned foods.

Some potential terrorist attacks could create situations where the air is fully of unsafe material and is not safe to breath without protection. These materials can only hurt you if they enter your body, so think about creating a barrier between yourself and any contamination. It’s a good idea to have something for each family member that covers their nose and their mouth; this can be two to three layers of cotton t-shirt material, handkerchief of towels or filter masks, readily available in hardware stores. It is very important that whatever you use fits snugly so you are breathing mostly air through the mask, not around it.

Also, include duct tape and heavy weight garbage bags or plastic sheeting that can be used to seal windows and doors is you need to shelter-in-place in your home.

To see a full list of recommended items for your disaster supply kit, click here.

Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Develop a Family Communications Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. Consider a plan where each family calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than a call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. You may have trouble getting through, or the phone system may at first be down altogether, but be patient.

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the disaster, the first important decision is whether to stay put or get away. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and the information you are learning here to determine if there is an immediate danger. What television and listen to the radio for official instructions as they become available.

Create a Plan to Shelter-in-Place

There are circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as sheltering-in-place and sealing them room can be a matter of survival. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place and seal the room. Consider precutting plastic sheeting to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that you can duct tape it flat against the wall. Label each piece with the location of where it fits.

In such a situation, use all available information to assess the situation. Quickly bring your family and pets inside, lock doors, and close windows, air vents and fire place dampers. Immediately turn off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have designated. Seal windows, doors and vents. Understand that sealing the room is a temporary measure to create a barrier between you and contaminated air. Watch TV, listen to the radio or check the internet for instructions.

Create a Plan to Get Away

Plan in advance how you will assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several distinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency. If you have a car, keep at least a half tank of gas in it at all times. Become familiar with alternate routes as well as other means of transportation out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Take your emergency supply kit, unless you have reason to believe it is contaminated and lock the door behind you. Take pets with you if you are told to evacuate, however, if you are going to a public shelter, keep in mind that they may not be allowed inside. If you believe the air may be contaminated, drive with your windows and vents closed and keep the air condition and heater turned off. Listen to the radio for instructions.

Know Emergency Plans at School and Work

Think about the places where your family spends time; school, work and other places your family frequents. Talk to your children’s schools and your employer about emergency plans. Find out how they will communicate with families during an emergency. If you are an employer, be sure you have an emergency preparedness plan. Review and practice it with your employees. A community working together during an emergency also makes sense. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling a supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural and man-made emergency. However there are significant differences among potential natural threats, such as wildfire, flood, or outbreak and also for terrorist threats, such as biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological, which will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take.

By beginning a process of learning about these specific threats, you are preparing yourself to react in an emergency.
This website can help, so be sure to read each section. You can also request a free brochure by calling 1-800-BE-READY (1-800-237-3239).

Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Get ready now.

After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergency, take the next step and get involved in preparing your community. See the Community section of this site for more information.

Home Safety

Making sure the home you live in is safe is a great way to make sure you have a safe place to stay during a disaster, and that you can leave you homely quickly and safely in times when you must evacuate.

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. However, there are simple steps you can take to make your home safer. Start by viewing each room with a “disaster eye” and identify potential hazards.

• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and change batteries every 6 months; replace the detector as recommended by the manufacturer
• Move beds away from windows and move mirrors and heavy pictures away from couches or places where people sit
• Clear hallways and exits for easy evacuation
• Store heavy items on the lowest shelves
• Keep an ABC type fire extinguishers on each level and know how and when to use them
• Store flammable or highly reactive chemicals (such as bleach, ammonia, paint thinners) securely and separate from each other
• Know how and when to switch off your utilities
• Ensure that all window safety bars have emergency releases
• Be sure your home number is visible from the street so emergency vehicles can find you

Children

Preparing With your Children Is Fun!
Get your kids involved in the preparedness process to make it easier for them to understand, and more fun for the whole family!

Click the links below to learn how to help prepare your family and your children, as well as fun planning tools that you can work on with your kids.

• Let’s Get Ready! Planning Together for Emergencies – a guide for parents and caregivers
• Let’s Get Ready! One Page Tip Sheet
• Let’s Get Ready! Children’s Activity Book
• Our Family’s Health and Contact Information – a two page Family Emergency Plan

Seniors & Disabled

In a disaster, you may need to consider some additional preparedness measures if you are a senior citizen or live with a disability. Below you will find some key recommendations.

• Set up a Personal Support Network: Designate someone, such as a family member or close personal friend, to check on you in an emergency and to help with evacuation or sheltering-in-place. Keep their contact information handy at all times.
• Prepare and carry with you an emergency health information card: This will help you to communicate if you are found unconscious or incoherent. Include information about your medications, adaptive equipment, blood type, allergies and sensitivities, insurance numbers, immunization dates, communication difficulties and preferred treatment, as well as contact information for your health providers, personal support network and emergency contacts.
• Personal Care Assistance: If you receive assistance from a home healthcare agency or in-home support provider, find out how the provider will respond in an emergency. Designate backup or alternative providers that you can contact in an emergency.
• For Persons Using a Wheelchair: Plan for how you will evacuate in an emergency and discuss it with your care providers. If you use a motorized wheelchair, consider having a manual wheelchair as a backup, as there may not be power available for some time.
• For Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired: Keep an extra cane by your bed. Attach a whistle; in case you need to attract attention. Exercise caution when moving, paths may have become obstructed.
• For Persons who are Hearing Impaired: Keep extra batteries for your hearing aids with emergency supplies. Consider storing your hearing aids in a container attached to your nightstand or bedpost, so you can locate them quickly after a disaster.
• For persons with Communication Disabilities: Store paper, writing materials, copies of a word or letter board and preprinted key phrases in your emergency kit, your wallet, purse, etc.
• For Persons who Depend on Medical Equipment: Keep extra charged batteries to help operate oxygen or dialysis machines. Discuss your short and long term needs for medical assistance with your care providers and try to address them before disaster strikes.

Pets

Just as you do with your emergency supply kit for you and your children, consider what it will take to keep your pets safe and comfortable during an emergency.

1. Get a Kit of Emergency Supplies

Food – keep at least three days in an airtight, water proof container.

Water – keep three days of water specifically for your pet, in addition to what you have for you and your family.

Medicine and first aid kit – keep an extra supply of medicines that your pet needs on hand in a waterproof container. Also, talk to your veterinarian about what to have on hand for a pet first aid kit.

Collar and ID tag, harness or leash – your pet should wear a collar with its ID tag at all times, but also keep a back up collar, tag, and leash or harness in your kit.

Crate or other pet carrier – if you need to evacuate your home, your pet will be safest if you can transport them in a crate or other carrier. In addition, if you travel to a shelter that takes pets most will require your pet to stay in a crate or other carrier.

Sanitation – include pet litter and a litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet's sanitation needs.

A picture of you and your pet together – in case you become separated from your pet.

Familiar items – favorite toys, bedding, or treats will help your pet be more comfortable during stressful times.

2. Make a Plan for What You Will Do in an Emergency

Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your pets during an emergency.

Create a plan to get away
Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind that your pets may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance and include that information in your plan. Consider family or friends that would take in you and your pets during an emergency. Other options include: hotels that take pets or a boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital. Just be sure to find out before an emergency if any of these places are viable options for lodging for your pets.

Develop a buddy system
Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are not home or otherwise are unable to do so. Talk to your pet care buddy about your emergency plan and where you keep your emergency supply kit. Designate an area in your immediate neighborhood, as well as one further away, where you will meet after an emergency subsides.

Talk to your pet's veterinarian about emergency planning
Discuss the types of things you should keep in your emergency kit. Get the names of vets or vet hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. You should also consider talking to your vet about permanent pet identification such as micro chipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.

Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment
Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society or SPCA, and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you and on in your pet's emergency supply kit.

3. Be Informed About What Might Happen

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for you, your family and your pets, are the same for both a natural and man-made emergency. However there are significant differences among potential natural threats, such as wildfire, flood, or outbreak and also for terrorist threats, such as biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological, which will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take.

By beginning a process of learning about these specific threats, you are preparing yourself to react in an emergency.

This website can help, so be sure to read each section. You can also request a free brochure by calling 1-800-BE-READY (1-800-237-3239).

Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Get ready now.

Utilities

Natural gas leaks can cause an explosive and flammable atmosphere inside a building.

Gas
Natural gas leaks can cause fires and explosions inside a building.

• If you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line, or if you suspect a leak, shut off the main valve and open all windows and doors.
• Never use candles or matches if you suspect a leak. Do not turn on electrical switches or appliances.
• Identify the main shutoff valve, located on the gas line coming into the main gas meter. This is usually on the exterior of your home or building, or in an external closet. Your main valve may look like this:
• To turn gas off, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the lever crosses the direction of the pipe (see below) the gas is off.
• Keep a crescent wrench or gas shut-off tool nearby to turn the lever.
• Never attempt to turn your gas back on. Wait for your utility company to do it. This may take several days.

If you suspect a leak, contact your gas utility provider, such has Southwest Gas. Most gas utility providers have emergency hotlines that you can call – to reach Southwest Gas see the numbers on their emergency contact page.

Electricity
Electrocution can result from direct contact with live wires or anything that has been energized by these wires.

• Locate your main electric switch, which is normally in the garage or outdoors. The panel box may have a flip switch or pull handle on a large circuit breaker.
• Shut off electricity when:
  • Arcing or burning occurs in electrical devices.
  • There is a fire or significant water leak.
  • You smell burning insulation.
  • The area around switches or plugs is blackened and/ or hot to the touch.
  • A complete power loss is accompanied by the smell of burning material.

Contact Tucson Electric Power (TEP) if you have an outage or there is a safety hazard caused by power lines.

Water
Water leaks can cause property damage and create an electrocution hazard.

• After a major earthquake, shut off your water supply to protect the water in your house. Cracked pipes may allow contaminants into the water supply in your home.
• The water shutoff is usually located in the basement, garage or where the water line enters the home. The water shutoff is located on a riser pipe and is usually a red or yellow wheel. Turn wheel clockwise to shut off.
• In a water emergency, such as a broken main, contact Tucson Water

Sewer Service
A disaster that disrupts all or part of the area's water and/or sewer lines could affect the way you deal with human waste.

• If there is no water in your toilet, but the sewer lines are intact, pour 3-5 gallons of water into the toilet bowl to flush. You may use bath, laundry or pool water.
• If you suspect damage to your home's water lines, do NOT flush the toilet. Turn off water at the house so contaminated water does not enter your water system.
• If sewer lines are broken, line bowl with double-bagged garbage bags to collect waste. Before discarding, add a small amount of bleach; then seal the bag and place in a tightly covered container, away from people.
• If the toilet is unusable, use a sturdy bucket with a tight fitting lid, and line it with a double-bagged plastic garbage bag.

Food

When a disaster occurs, you might not have access to food, water and electricity for days, or even weeks. Store enough emergency food to provide for your family for at least 3 days.

• Store food items that are familiar, rather than buying special emergency food. Consider any dietary restrictions and preferences you may have.
• Ideal foods are: Shelf-stable (no refrigeration required), low in salt, and do not require cooking (e.g. canned fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, jam, low-salt crackers, cookies, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, canned soup or meats, juices and non-fat dry milk).
• Mark a rotation date on any food container that does not already have an expiration date on the package.
• Include baby food and formula or other diet items for infants or seniors.
• Store the food in airtight, pest-resistant containers in a cool, dark place.
• Most canned foods can safely be stored for at least 18 months. Low acid foods like meat products, fruits or vegetables will normally last at least 2 years. Use dry products, like boxed cereal, crackers, cookies, dried milk or dried fruit within six months.
• After a power outage, refrigerated food will stay cold longer if you keep the door closed. Food should generally be consumed within 4 hours. Food in the freezer will normally remain safe for 2 days.

Water

In a disaster, water supplies may be cut off or contaminated. Store enough water for everyone in your family to last for at least 3 days.

Store one gallon of water per person, per day. Three gallons per person per day will give you enough to drink and for limited cooking and personal hygiene. Remember to plan for pets. If you store tap water:

• Tap water from a municipal water system can be safely stored without additional treatment.
• Store water in food grade plastic containers, such as clean 2-liter soft drink bottles. Heavy duty, reusable plastic water containers are also available at sporting goods stores. Empty milk bottles are not recommended because their lids do not seal well and bottles may develop leaks.
• Label and store in a cool, dark place.
• Replace water at least once every six months.

If you buy commercially bottled "spring" or "drinking" water:

• Keep water in its original container, and don't re-store a bottle once it's been opened.
• Store in a cool, dark place.
• If bottles are not marked with the manufacturer's expiration date, label with the date and replace bottles at least once per year.

Treating Water after Disaster:
If you run out of stored drinking water, strain and treat water from your water heater or the toilet reservoir tank (except if you use toilet tank cleaners). Swimming pool or spa water should not be consumed but you can use it for flushing toilets or washing.

Treatment Process:
Strain any large particles of dirt by pouring the water through layers of paper towels or clean cloth. Next, purify the water one of two ways:

• Boil – bring to a rolling boil and maintain for 3-5 minutes. After the water cools, pour it back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen back; this will improve its taste.
• Disinfect – If the water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of water. If it is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) per gallon. Make sure you are using regular bleach— 5.25% percent sodium hypochlorite— rather than the "ultra" or "color safe" bleaches. Shake or stir, then let stand 30 minutes. A slight chlorine taste and smell is normal.

Visit the Tucson Water website for more information.

First Aid

In any emergency, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. Keep the following basic first aid supplies so you are prepared to help when someone is hurt.

• Two pairs of disposable gloves
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
• Burn ointment
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
• Scissors
• Over-the-counter medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, or asthma inhaler
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment or blood pressure monitors

Consider taking training on CPR and basic first aid from the Southern Arizona Red Cross.

Go Bag

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

• Flashlight
• Radio – battery operated
• Batteries
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Pocket knife
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
• Local map
• Some water and food
• Permanent marker, paper and tape
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
• List of emergency point-of -contact phone numbers
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Prescription medications and first aid supplies
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle
• Any special-need items for your children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don't forget to make a go-bag for your pets.

Phone

Plan for how you will communicate with loved ones after a disaster.

• Long-distance phone lines often work before local phone lines, so identify an out-of-state contact and provide this person with the contact information of people you want to keep informed of your situation. Share this information with your family and friends locally.
• Avoid making non-urgent phone calls after a disaster – even if phone lines are un-damaged, increased phone traffic can jam phone circuits.
• Cordless phones or phone systems require electricity; make sure you have a backup phone that requires no electricity.
• Keep coins in your go-bag. Payphones may work before other phone lines.
• Don't count on your cell phone - increased traffic on cell phone networks can quickly overload wireless capacity.
• Record an outgoing message on your voicemail so that callers can be re-assured of your safety status.
• Learn how to use text messaging. It uses a different part of the cell phone network and it might be possible to send and receive text messages when voice channels for mobile phones and land lines are jammed.
• Register your email addresses and, home phone and wireless devices (mobile phones, pagers and PDAs) at www.safetyalertgpc.com. When possible, Pima County or the City or Town you live in will send voice and text alerts about potential hazards and/or post disaster information. Examples include flood warnings and local disaster shelter locations.

Volunteer

One of the best ways to help your family, friends and neighbors before disaster strikes is to volunteer your time to an organization involved in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. In our community, there are a wide array of such opportunities; you can help at the Food Bank, become a Volunteer in Police Service, or train to be a CERT member. Visit some of the sites below to learn more, or contact our office for information. Southern Arizona VOAD
Get involved with one of the members of the Southern Arizona Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Groups such as the American Red Cross of Southern Arizona and the Community Food Bank dedicate their resources to helping everyone in Pima County better prepare for and recover from disasters that strike close to home.

Vist the Southern Arizona VOAD and click on the Disaster link.

Citizen Corps Program

The mission of the Citizen Corps is to harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to response to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues, and disaster of all kinds.

The Citizen Corps mission is accomplished through a national network of state, local and tribal Citizen Corps Councils. These councils build on community strength to implement the Citizen Corps preparedness program and carry out a local strategy to involve government, community leaders, and citizens in all-hazards preparedness and resilience.

Citizen Corps asks you to embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared, to get training in first aid and emergency skills, and to volunteer to support local emergency responders, disaster relief, and community safety.

To do so, visit the link below for your local Citizen Corps council and contact the representative for more information on how to get involved.

• Pima County Citizen Corps Council
• Citizen Corps Council for Homeland Security of Southern Arizona, City of Tucson
• Northwest Fire Citizen Corps Council

In addition, learn more about the Citizen Corps Partner Programs in your area by visiting the links below.

Community Emergency Response Teams

• Tohono O'odham Nation CERT
• Northwest Fire CERT
• Tucson CERT
• Golder Ranch Fire District CERT
• Oro Valley CERT

Fire Corps

• Golder Ranch Fire District Fire Corps

National Disaster Volunteering
To get involved on a national level, consider volunteering with AmeriCorps or another component of the Corporation for National & Community Service or the HandsOn Network.

Training

Get trained on how to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors during and after an emergency.

• Pima County Community Emergency Response Team Training
• Southern Arizona Red Cross training for CPR, AED, and first aid.

Community

Give blood - Visit the Red Cross website or 1-800-REDCROSS to make an appointment to donate blood today. Save a life.

Donate money to an established organization.

Set up your own 'Neighborhood Watch' group with the help of the City of Tucson Police Department or the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

Get to know your neighbors. Find out if anyone has specialized equipment, like a power generator or expertise such as medical knowledge that might help in a crisis. Make arrangements to check on your neighbor's home or pets if one of you is away when a disaster strikes.

Earthquake Safety

How to prepare

• Keep and maintain a disaster supply kit in an easy-to-access location
• Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you
• Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place
• Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs
• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose

What to do during an earthquake
If you are inside when the shaking starts…

• Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible
• If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow
• Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, never use an elevator, always use the stairs

If you are outside when the shaking starts…

• Find a clear spot, away from buildings, power lines, trees and streetlights, and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops
• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seat belt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and rams that may have been damaged
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance
• If you are in an area near unstable slopes be alert for falling rocks and other debris

What to do after an earthquake

• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons
• After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides, hazardous materials releases, wide spread utility outages, and other potential threats
• Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake
• Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects
• Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe
• Listen to a portable, battery operated or hand-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions
• Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can get a dial tone. Make only brief calls to report life-threatening emergencies
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake
• Clean up spilled medication, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately
• Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted
• Help people who require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas
• Keep animals under your direct control
• Stay out of damaged buildings
• If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage
• Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages

Storm & Flooding Safety

Any time of the year, severe storms can cause landslides, flooding, uprooted trees, and downed utility lines.

• If water has entered a garage or home, try not to walk through it – it may contain hazardous materials.
• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you must walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Stay clear of water that is in contact with downed power lines.
• Do not allow children to play around washes, storm drains or any flooded areas or areas that could be affected by flash flooding.
• If you are asked to leave your property, disconnect electric appliances and shut off electric circuits. If advised by your local utility, shut off gas service as well.

The Monsoon in Pima County
This type of storm happens in the months of June, July, August and September. These intense summer rain storms can contain heavy rain, lots of lightning and strong winds. They often cause dangerous flash floods. Flash floods are the number one weather related killer in the United States. A flash flood is a rapid rise of water in a street, wash crossing or low lying urban area. Flash flood damage and fatalities tend to occur in areas immediately adjacent to washes, arroyos, drainage channels and street crossings.

Monsoon Related Hazards

• Flash floods
• Lightning
• High winds
• Dust storms
• Downed power lines
• Streets flooded with water and debris
• Reduced visibility
• Mud and rock slides
• Fast moving deep water in channels
• Dangerous roadway underpasses
• Wild fires
• Hail

Monsoon Driving Safety
A flash flood can travel miles beyond the storm that generated it, catching unwary hikers and motorists by surprise. Never attempt to drive across a flooded roadway. Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related and about 75% of fatalities occur at night. If you come upon a flooded roadway, STOP. The depth of the water is not always obvious. The roadbed may be washed out under the water and you could be stranded or trapped. Wait for the flood waters to go down or turn around and go another way.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown! It only takes two feet of flowing water to sweep most vehicles downstream. Low profile vehicles can be moved even easier. Do not drive around a barricade. Barricades are there for your protection. When driving at highway speeds excess water on the roadway can cause your vehicle to lose traction. Slow down to a safe speed to avoid hydroplaning and losing control of your vehicle. Monsoons often contain high winds and cause dust storms, presenting additional driving hazards.

Terms to Describe Flash Flooding

• Flash Flood Watch - Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground. A flash flood could occur without any warning. Listen to NOAA National Weather Service Weather Radio or commercial radio or television for additional information.
• Flash Flood Warning - A flash flood is imminent or has been reported. Seek high ground immediately.
• Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory - This type of advisory alerts the public to flooding which is generally not serious (not life-threatening) to those living in the affected area. This advisory is issued when heavy rain will cause flooding of streets and low lying places in urban areas. Also used if small rural or urban streams are expected to become full or exceed bank full. Some damage to homes or roads could occur.

During flash flood season the National Weather Service via NOAA Weather Radio 162.4 Mhz has 24-hour weather broadcasts. Warnings are also broadcast on local radio and television stations.

Terrorism Safety

What is a terrorist attack?
A terrorist attack is a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims.

Next to a fully stocked disaster supply kit, knowledge is the most important part of being prepared for a terrorist attack. Read on to learn more about what you can expect from various types of attacks, and what you can do if they occur.

Chemical Weapons Attack

What are chemical weapons?
Man-made agents, in gas or liquid form, which attacks the body’s nerves, blood, skin or lungs causing symptoms such as vomiting, blistering, loss of bodily control and in some cases death. A chemical attack can affect the contaminated area for several minutes or several days depending on factors like the concentration of the agent, whether the attack is indoors or outdoors and the weather.

Recognizing a chemical attack

There are some fairly obvious indications that a chemical attack may be taking place. You may notice a strange smell in the air. You may notice people suffering from some of the symptoms of an attack (coughing, choking, gasping for air, suffering from pain in the eyes, falling unconscious, convulsing, etc.). You may start to suffer from some of these symptoms yourself. It may seem to be getting dark. You may notice a cloud of gas, hear an explosion, spot a crop duster where it shouldn't be, or something else unusual. You will hear about the attack via radio, TV or other alert systems.

What should I do during a chemical attack?

These are the things you should do once you become aware that you need to protect yourself from a toxic gas chemical attack:

• If you're in a building and the attack occurs inside the building then head for the nearest exit
• If you're in a building and the attack occurs outdoors, don't attempt to exit
• If you’re outside and the attack is outside, immediately enter a house or building
• If there's no safe building nearby, try to determine the direction of the wind and move cross-wind. If you move down-wind you risk remaining exposed to the gas for a longer time. If you move up-wind you risk entering a more dense cloud of the gas. By moving cross-wind you have the greatest chance of getting out of the cloud quickly
• If you’re in your car stay inside and attempt to drive away from the cloud (again cross-wind if possible). Finally, avoid moving to low areas as the gas may become trapped there
• If you're indoors, unless given the word to evacuate, you should shelter in place
• Cooperate with official instructions and stay put until you’re given the all clear by an official authority. Be prepared to evacuate if given the official order to do so

Biological weapons attack

What are biological weapons?

Harmful biological agents, such as a pathogenic microorganism or a neurotoxin, that are used as a weapon to cause death or disease usually on a large scale. Examples include a pathogenic attack which is capable of causing disease and neurotoxins which are an equally dangerous poisonous complex of protein that acts on the nervous system.

Recognizing a biological attack

Depending on the nature of the biological attack, there's every chance that you will not notice anything unusual. If the attack is with anthrax (which doesn't transmit from person to person), then you may notice unusual activity like those described above during a chemical attack. However, if the attack involves spreading a contagious disease, then the terrorists will probably use a subtle approach. In this scenario, it will probably be days or weeks later - when more and more people start to suffer the initial symptoms of the attack - before you realize that it happened. At this point it will be difficult to determine if you've been affected.

If you've any reason to suspect that you've been subject to a biological attack, seek immediate medical attention. Call your doctor or local hospital before visiting. This will prevent you spreading the disease to others - especially important medical staff. Follow whatever advice they give you on how to proceed.

Note: If you know that an attack has happened in your region, be on the lookout for flu-like symptoms. If you suffer these symptoms, call your doctor or local hospital immediately.

What should I do during a biological attack?

In the event that you become aware of a biological attack having taken place, then you should follow these steps:

• Unless given the order to evacuate by local authorities, go indoors into a building that is safe immediately. Follow the shelter in place instructions
• Try to minimize contact with other people
• Do the same things you would do to prevent the spread of colds and flues: wash your hands often, avoid close proximity to an infected or potentially infected person, wash surfaces and clothing that an infected person may have touched and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Try to get information on how contagious the disease is, and how far it has spread. Listen to your radio. Follow any advice you're given by the authorities
• If your family members are in different places you will need to use your judgment on how to proceed. If they are in a safe environment in their workplace or school, then leave them there until the situation is normalized
• Tune in to a local radio station that is broadcasting official emergency information. Avoid using the telephone. It should be used for emergency calls only
• Be prepared to evacuate if given the official order to do so

Nuclear weapons attack

What should I expect from a nuclear attack?

Blasts and shockwaves - The atmospheric air pressure surrounding a detonation can cause a blast or a shockwave, which can move at alarming speeds. Looking directly at the blast can cause temporary blindness, retinal burning and permanent eye damage. The blast can also kill those in its path, and a fallout shelter will not necessarily protect you against the terrific force of a blast.

Fire risk - The effect of the blast combined with the pulse of the nuclear weapon can result in the ignition of combustible materials, so fire is a high risk particularly in areas very close to the detonation.

Radiation - The initial radiation following the nuclear blast can prove particularly hazardous, especially to those in close proximity. This is the radiation that forms during the first minute following detonation. In addition to this, the electromagnetic radiation following the blast can damage or destroy electrical equipment, cables etc. Fallout is the often-radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere

What should I do during a nuclear attack?

The initial blast - The blast from a nuclear explosion can cause injury and death, and the nearer you are to the blast the higher the risk. You will need to shield yourself and your family from the force of the explosion as well as from the heat and radiation that is being emitted. There are a number of places that you can use to shelter in such as a basement, in a car or under furniture. If you are actually out and about, you should seek shelter in a ditch or behind a hill. It is important to keep the time that you are exposed to the dangers of a blast to a minimum, so you should look for appropriate shelter as quickly as possible.

After the blast - It is important to have some sort of shelter in mind as this is what will protect you against the hazards of contamination. You will need to find shelter that is as far as possible from the blast and also look for shelter that is upwind from the blast. You should ensure that the shelter that you have in mind also has food and water that is uncontaminated, such as your disaster supply kit. You may need to stay away for a long period of time depending on the extent and severity of the contamination.

Surviving a nuclear attack inside the city - There are some important basic guidelines that need to be followed in the event of a nuclear attack wherever you live. However, if you are in a city then you need to consider some additional points. Firstly, you should consider your location. If you live close to a place that could be considered a primary target (e.g. a government building) then a shelter is unlikely to protect you against the blast of an attack because you will be too close. You should therefore make plans for evacuation and you need to ensure that you find out what type of warning system the city operates in order to ensure that you can evacuate as soon as is necessary.

You will also need to find out where you can go especially if your home or first choice for shelter is unsafe – perhaps to a friend or relative or maybe to a communal shelter within the city. Again, you should check whether there are any buildings that officials plan to use as shelters in the event of an emergency. If you do not live all that close to a primary target but you still live in a city, then you should consider a shelter or at least a room that you can use as a shelter. If you live in an apartment you may not have an ideal room, such as an interior room with no windows, to use as a shelter. In this case you should speak to the building manager for advice on a location in the apartment complex that can act as a shelter should the need arise.

If you do have your own home in the city rather than an apartment then you may find that you will need to take shelter there for a while following a nuclear attack. You should never assume that you will be evacuated right way – the sheer number of people living and working in the city could mean that the streets may become too jammed to effectively evacuate immediately following the attack. Be sure to have a disaster supply kit for situations like these.

If you are out and about in the city when a nuclear attack occurs, you should literally dive for cover and do not look up at the blast as this could blind you. Find a ditch; run to the nearest building – anywhere that you might be able to find shelter as low down as possible. If you are in a car, you should wind down the windows to avoid the possible injury from breaking glass and get down on to the floor of the vehicle, shielding your face and eyes at all times.

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You should discuss all the points on this page with your family, with your child's school, and with your work colleagues to ensure that no matter where you and your family are, you're all in a good position to protect yourselves in the event of any kind of attack.

Contagious Disease Emergencies

A contagious disease emergency could affect many people. It could cause mild illness, hospitalization, or death in rare cases. In the event of an infectious disease emergency, local authorities will provide up-to-date information and instructions to the public through media and other alert systems.

In any situation where the spread of a contagious disease is a threat, basic practices should be followed. They are similar to the practices to be followed for the prevention of the spread of the flu during flu season.

If there is a vaccine for the contagious disease that is threatening the area, you should take the time to get the vaccine.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way
• Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
• If you believe you may be sick, do not go to work or school. Stay at home and call your doctor or the hospital. Do not go to your doctor or hospital without first contacting them as this may further spread the contagious disease. Your doctor or hospital will give you direction when you call them, which you should follow
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Those living in the same residence should take extra precautions such as more frequent hand washing, disinfecting of common surfaces such as kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces and door knobs and avoiding sharing items such as hand towels

If the contagious disease continues to spread the order from local authorities may be to stay home even if you are not ill and to avoid contact with the general public. To make this easier, be sure to have a disaster supply kit in your home.

In the most severe events, the order may come to shelter-in-place.

If you are exposed, or were potentially exposed, to the contagious disease you should be aware of possibility of quarantine or isolation. In addition to early detection, rapid diagnosis, and treatment with antibiotics or antivirals, the tactics of isolation and quarantine may be used to help contain the spread of illness by limit people’s exposure to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe the difference as follows:

• Isolation applies to persons who are known to be ill with a contagious disease
• Quarantine applies to those who have been exposed to a contagious disease but who may or may not become ill

Transit Safety

Mass transit systems may be vulnerable to both accidents and terrorist incidents. Mass transit customers should be aware and vigilant. Be well informed and know your surroundings.

• Review emergency exit information on the vehicle.
• If you see something, say something! Report all suspicious parcels, bags or containers to the nearest police officer or transit employee. Never touch a suspicious object.
• In the event of an emergency, remain calm and follow the instructions of transit or rescue personnel.
• Only use cell phones if you absolutely must as they could interfere with emergency equipment.
• If you’re instructed to evacuate, take your belongings (but leave your bicycle behind).
• If you are traveling with others, stay together.

Evacuation: More Common Than You Realize

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently.

When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Additionally, there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these situations.

The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities. This is why planning ahead is essential.

Evacuation Guidelines

Always:

• Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay
• Make transportation arrangements with friends or your local government if you do not own a car
• Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions
• Gather your family and go if you are instructed to evacuate immediately
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked
• Be alert for washed-out roads and bridges and washes with running water. Do not drive into flooded areas
• Stay away from downed power lines
• Follow your family evacuation plan and communication plan whenever possible

If time permits:

• Gather your disaster supplies kit
• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a cap
• Secure your home. Close and lock doors and windows
• Unplug electrical equipment, such as radios and televisions, and small appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding
• Let others know where you are going

Power Outage at Home

Always be prepared!

Put together a disaster supplies kit that is easily accessible in case of a lengthy power outage or other natural event.

What to Do and Not Do when the power goes off

If the lights go off, know what steps to take to be comfortable, safe and help the Co-op restore service quickly.

• Check your electrical panel. Look for tripped breakers or blown fuses. Try to reset the breakers by switching them OFF then ON.
• If the power does not return report it to your utility provider.
• Turn off major appliances. The water heater and heating system breakers need to be turned off to avoid overloading your circuits when the power is restored. Unplug any voltage-sensitive equipment.
• Install surge protectors to protect voltage sensitive equipment. You can purchase high quality surge protection devices from a variety of online dealers and local electricians.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food in a refrigerator can last 12 to 24 hours if the doors remain closed. A full freezer can last 24 to 48 hours.
• Listen to radio reports. Keep either a battery operated or battery free (hand crank) radio on hand for emergencies. During an extended outage, please listen to the local radio stations for updates and information.
• Never go near or touch a downed power line.
• Never wire a portable generator directly into your electrical panel.

Remember these tips during an extended outage. It’s easier on everyone involved. This information is very important.

• Please let the repair crews do their job. It’s tempting to stop crews and ask questions about when the power is going to be restored, but this only delays the restoration process. Remember that while the crews want to be helpful, they also want to restore your power quickly so they too can get home to their families.
• Be a good neighbor. Severe storms usually increase the number of accidents and medical problems. Remember that this increases the response time for service agencies. You may want to organize people in your area to check on each other and lend assistance.
• If not used correctly, portable generators can cause fatal accidents involving the workers on the lines. Plug appliances into the generator. DO NOT connect household breaker circuits to the generator without a “double-throw switch” installed by a licensed electrician.
• Emergency water sources. Run off from roof tops can be collected and used for washing, but do not drink it. A water heater can supply drinking water. Be sure the breaker is OFF before you drain it, and be sure to fill it before turning the breaker back on.
• Keep the freezer full. Milk jugs filled with water and placed in a half-full freezer can be a supply of both water and ice in an emergency. Also, it will keep the freezer colder longer if it is full. Check into purchasing dry ice to help prevent spoilage.

Fire Safety

Fire is one of the most common disasters. Fire causes more deaths than any other type of disaster. But fire doesn't have to be deadly if you have early warning from a smoke detector and everyone in your family knows how to escape calmly. Please be serious about the responsibility for planning for and practicing what to do in case of a fire.

Print out the check-list below and be prepared by having various household members do each of the items on it.

Click Here to Download a Fire Safety Checklist

Make your home fire safe

• Smoke detectors save lives. Install a battery-powered smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace batteries at least once a year.
• Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Get training from the fire department in how to use it. Also include in the kit written instructions on how to turn off utilities at your house.
• Conduct periodic fire drills, so everyone remembers what to do when there is a fire.

Plan your escape routes

• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to use it.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Once you are out, stay out!

Escape safely
If your smoke alarm goes off or you see a fire:

• Remain calm and get out.
• If you see smoke under the door, find another way out.
• Feel the door with the back of your hand before you open it. If it is hot, find another way out.
• Drop to the floor to avoid smoke and fumes. Crawl to safety.
• If your clothes catch on fire, STOP where you are, DROP to the ground and ROLL over and over to smother the flames.
• Call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Stay on the line until the operator hangs up.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the widow. If there is a telephone in the room, call 9-1-1 and tell them where you are.
• Do not go back inside the building unless instructed that it is safe to do so.

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Shelter-In-Place

What does shelter-in-place mean?
One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building. If you are told to shelter-in-place, follow the instructions provided on this page.

Why would I need to shelter-in-place?
Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television, radio stations, and alerting systems on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

How do I shelter-in-place?

At Home:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that’s above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
• Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

At Work:

• Close the business.
• Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).
• If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
• Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
• Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
• Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
• Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
• Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
• Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer.)
• Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

At School:

• Close the school. Activate the school’s emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty, and staff indoors.
• If there are visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
• Provide for answering telephone inquiries from concerned parents by having at least one telephone with the school’s listed telephone number available in the room selected to provide shelter for the school secretary, or person designated to answer these calls. This room should also be sealed. There should be a way to communicate among all rooms where people are sheltering-in-place in the school.
• Ideally, provide for a way to make announcements over the school-wide public address system from the room where the top school official takes shelter.
• If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice, and that they are safe.
• If the school has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the school is closed, students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
• Provide directions to close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
• If you are told there is danger of explosion, direct that window shades, blinds, or curtains be closed.
• Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
• Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
• Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Classrooms may be used if there are no windows or the windows are sealed and can not be opened. Large storage closets, utility rooms, meeting rooms, and even a gymnasium without exterior windows will also work well.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
• Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
• Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your schools’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you.
• Listen for an official announcement from school officials via the public address system, and stay where you are until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

In Your Vehicle:
If you are driving a vehicle and hear advice to “shelter-in-place” on the radio, take these steps:

• If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations for the place you pick described above.
• If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot, to avoid being overheated.
• Turn off the engine. Close windows and vents.
• If possible, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape.
• Listen to the radio regularly for updated advice and instructions.
• Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.

Local officials on the scene are the best source of information for your particular situation. Following their instructions during and after emergencies regarding sheltering, food, water, and clean up methods is your safest choice.

Remember that instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for durations of a few hours, not days or weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate.

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