Neighbors Helping Neighbors:<\/strong><\/p>\nWorking with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until
\nhelp arrives. If you’re a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness
\nas a new activity. Know your neighbors’ special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can’t get home.<\/p>\n
Home Hazard Hunt:<\/strong><\/p>\nDuring a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage.\u00a0Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard.
\nFor example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards. Also, it would be a good idea to contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.<\/p>\n
Evacuation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Evacuate immediately if told to do so:<\/li>\n
- Listen to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.<\/li>\n
- Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.<\/li>\n
- Take your Disaster Supplies Kit with you.<\/li>\n
- Lock your home.<\/li>\n
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities–don’t use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you’re sure you have time:<\/b><\/p>\n\n- Shut off water, gas, and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.<\/li>\n
- Make arrangements for your pets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Emergency Supplies:<\/b><\/p>\n
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation.
\nStore these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as back-packs, duffle bags, or covered trash containers. Include:<\/p>\n
\n- A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil.<\/li>\n
- One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.<\/li>\n
- A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.<\/li>\n
- Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.<\/li>\n
- An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks.<\/li>\n
- Sanitation supplies.<\/li>\n
- Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.<\/li>\n
- An extra pair of glasses<\/li>\n
- Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.<\/li>\n
- Keep a smaller version of this kit in the trunk of your car.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
UTILITIES<\/b><\/p>\n\n- Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main, and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members.<\/li>\n
- Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.<\/li>\n
- Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If Disaster Strikes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.<\/li>\n
- Check for Injuries<\/li>\n
- Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.<\/li>\n
- Listen to Your Battery-Powered Radio for News and Instructions<\/li>\n
- Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.<\/li>\n
- Check for Damage in Your Home… Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.<\/li>\n
- Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.<\/li>\n
- Shut off any other damaged utilities. (You will need a professional to turn gas back on.)<\/li>\n
- Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids immediately.<\/li>\n
- Remember to…\n
\n- Confine or secure your pets.<\/li>\n
- Call your family contact–do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.<\/li>\n
- Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.<\/li>\n
- Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.<\/li>\n
- Stay away from downed power lines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services–water, gas, electricity or telephones–were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Families […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":31982,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/865"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=865"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/865\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31985,"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/865\/revisions\/31985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationalterroralert.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}