Be Prepared for Natural Disasters

2. Develop a household emergency plan

• Choose a contact person. Arrange with a friend or family member outside the area to be the emergency contact. Landline and cell phones are the quickest and most available technology and do work in many cases, says Michele Steinberg of Firewise. She suggests that if family members regularly use Facebook and Twitter, these may be good tools but since many “tweets” arrive via cellphones or computers, they, too, could be limited. “But the ‘viral’ nature of these media mean those folks who have Facebook open all day or follow Twitter will have immediate access to information about what is happening to their friends/relatives and an ability to mobilize help in some situations.” Make sure family members and the emergency contact have details including information about your Facebook page, Twitter handle, and email address.

• Determine an escape plan. Decide on reunion spots via foot or car, depending on the type of disaster. If it is an emergency isolated to your house or block, choose a nearby rallying point that will allow a headcount. If the emergency involves a larger area, decide on a destination further away — perhaps a relative’s home or a public emergency shelter — and a backup to that in case that site also is affected.

• Learn evacuation routes. Run a few practice drills out of your area so you will know where traffic congestion might occur.

• Locate public emergency shelters. Get their rules. Find out if they can accommodate pets, for instance.

• Plan with neighbors. If a flood occurs or a tornado hits when you are not at home, have a plan with neighbors, sitters, or relatives for your kids and pets. Decide on how you will get in touch, what will be done and where everyone will go.

• Shut down. Determine who will handle utility shut-off.

• Learn basic safety and emergency first aid skills. The American Red Cross offers courses through its local chapters. Find classes near you through the ZIP code look-up on its site.

3. Stock Supplies

Prepare an emergency supplies kit to ride out any event. Downloadable lists of suggested kit contents and disaster protection devices are available on the FLASH site (search “disaster kit”). FLASH’s Chapman-Henderson recommends buying only products that are tested and approved to a national or certified testing standard.

Among items to include:

• A radio capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards transmissions available on seven VHF frequencies from 162.400 MHz to 162.550 MHz. Remember extra batteries.

• A First Aid kit that includes such items as a first-aid manual, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic cream, sharp scissors, and tweezers. Include prescription medications, including those for your pet.

• Water. Have about a gallon per person and pet per day. Stock enough for at least three days. Include extra water for sanitation.

• Nonperishable food and the all-important manual can opener. Have enough food for at least three days. Don’t forget pet food.

• Flashlights, extra batteries, and portable chargers for cellphones and such. Charge all cell phones and PDAs the night before any storm is due.

• Garbage bags.

• Matches in a waterproof container.

• Personal hygiene products and moist towelettes.