Health Department - Home Readiness

In 2005, numerous natural disasters occurred on American Soil.  The most devastating of which was Hurricane Katrina which decimated large areas of the Gulf Coast, and put great strains on countless other inland communities which accepted those displaced by the hurricane.  The disaster highlighted the need for INDIVIDUALS to be prepared in the event of such a disaster, as government or organized aid is often not available for 72 hours or more during large scale incidents.

No area of the country is immune from disaster, natural or otherwise.  Undertaking preparedness activities NOW will enable everyone to be ready for any emergency, crisis or disaster throughout the year.  The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is offering three ideas or suggestions for readiness and preparation ...

Tip#1:  Build an emergency supply kit with enough supplies to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days.  Items should be kept in an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack or a duffle bag.  Basic items to stock should include:

• Water
• Food
• Battery powered radio (with extra batteries)
• Battery powered flashlight (with extra batteries)
• First Aid supplies
• Change of clothing
• Blanket(s) or Sleeping Bag(s)
• Wrench or pliers
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Trash bags
• Map
• Manual can opener
• Specialty items for infants, elderly or sick people with disabilities.
  

Tip#2:  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 earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work. 
• Commit a weekend to update telephone numbers, emergency supplies and review your plan with everyone.

Tip#3:  Carry the need for disaster readiness to your neighborhood or community.

• 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.

These tips are courtesy of the Ohio EMA website. (www.ema.ohio.gov )

For more information on preparing for home readiness please visit the CDC's home readiness web page at: http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/ or the Ohio Homeland Security site at www.ema.ohio.gov.