Disaster Readiness

Don’t Let Danger Catch You Off Guard

When you think about a disastrous event, what comes to mind?  Is it the hurricanes that ravage the coastal states of the US, or the tornadoes that whirl through many other US states?  Or how about the much more recent and catastrophic earthquakes that shook Japan causing a tsunami?  But that would never happen to you, right?  Wrong. Being prepared and trained to take action in the event of a disaster, from storms to more catastrophic disasters, is crucial in not only saving your life, but the countless lives of those around you.

The importance of being prepared:

Disasters can happen any time and anywhere and disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Each disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property.  If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations will try to help you, but you need to be ready as well. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere. You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area - hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold, flooding, or terrorism.  You should also be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days. This may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation.

Other advantages:

Being prepared for a disaster can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Communities, families, and individuals should know what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a tornado.

Being ready can also reduce the impact of disasters (flood proofing, elevating a home or moving a home out of harm’s way, and securing items that could shake loose in an earthquake) and sometimes avoid the danger completely.

Here are some tips to stay prepared in the event of an emergency:

• Develop a communications plan for your family. Choose someone who does not live with you (preferably an out-of-town relative or friend) whom you and other family members can contact to check on each other in the event that you are separated during a disaster. Carry that person’s contact information in your purse or wallet.
• Make sure children know their last name, phone number, address, and number for the out-of-town contact person.
• Make sure every member of your family knows an alternate route home.
• If family members can’t get home, designate a meeting place.
• Know your community’s emergency evacuation route.
• Learn how to shut off utilities such as gas, electricity, and water.
• Assemble an emergency preparedness kit that will allow your family to camp out for three days. Assume you’ll be without electricity and running water.
• Store your emergency supplies in sealed containers such as plastic tubs - taped shut.
• Keep cash on hand; automated teller machines won’t be working if the power is out.
• Learn CPR and first aid to help with medical emergencies.
• Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school or daycare center.
• If you’re a teen, find out whether your school has a group of student volunteers to help out in emergency situations. If not, offer to help start such a group. Or start a School Crime Watch.
• Learn about your company’s emergency plan. Practice the plan. Learn exit routes.
• Work with your Neighborhood Watch or civic association to create a disaster preparedness plan.

Summit can help you prepare your business in the event of a disaster.  Check out Summit’s Disaster Readiness and First Aid programs at www.safetyontheweb.com