Prepare today for tomorrow’s emergency

Tomorrow’s emergency may happen without notice. Prepare with these recommended steps:

• Have a family plan. Share contact information, and make sure family members know where you plan to take cover during an emergency. Identify safe places in the home in case you do need to shelter in place during a storm event.

• Create an emergency kit. A kit should include three days’ worth of food and water that can be easily transported. Gather documents that are crucial to you, and think about what things are irreplaceable or difficult to replace, such as property deeds, birth certificates and marriage licenses.

Do you and your family know what to do in an emergency? Advanced planning can help.

An emergency situation can include anything from weather events such as tornadoes, ice storms and floods, to household chemical accidents – or even worldwide pandemic, ‘A great place to start is by making a family emergency plan and having everyone practice until they know what to do and where to go,’ Peek said. ‘It’s also a good idea to assemble an emergency kit.’

The kit should include:

• Nonperishable foods

• Flashlight

• First-aid kit

• Bottled water

• Change of clothes

• Weather radio

• Extra batteries

• Battery-operated phone charger

• List of important phone numbers, including your insurance company Other things a family might need include pet food, diapers or medications. In addition to having an emergency kit ready to go, Risley also suggests learning some general safety skills that could come in handy.

“Emergency situations can arise quickly and knowing some safety skills could really make a difference,” she said. “Once again, planning ahead, keeping a level head and knowing what to do can make a big difference.”

General safety skills include:

• General first aid and CPR

• Using a fire extinguisher

• How to shut off utilities Check with the American Red Cross for classes offering CPR training. Courses are taught by certified instructors. Contact the local fire department for tips on correctly using a fire extinguisher. Every home should have at least one up-todate fire extinguisher.

Take some time to locate the natural gas meter, water meter and the electrical circuit box. Gas meters come in several configurations, each with different shut-off processes. Families should contact the local gas company for guidance on how to turn off service in an emergency. Once service is shut off, only the utility can turn in back on. After locating the shut-off value for the water line, make sure other family members know how to turn off the water main.

“Emergency situations can be scary and hectic. Knowing what to do ahead of time can help everyone through these situations,” Risley said.

“Having that three-day kit is absolutely essential,” Peek said. “Grab your kit and go, and let the professionals deal with the fire on the property.”

Risley said thinking ahead and knowing what to pack in advance of a stressful situation provides comfort and can set residents’ minds at ease.

“Family preparedness is important no matter what day of the year it is,” she said. “We don’t want people to feel scared. We want them to realize they do have some control, and there are very simple things you can do to help you and your family feel better.”