Preparing for Disasters and Emergencies

This columnist has organized workshops on how to prepare for disasters for a number of years. Many articles on disaster preparation have also appeared in this column. It is important for people to be aware of what to do in case of a disaster. If you lose power in a storm it might be weeks or months in some cases when power is restored. If you travel south check the weather channel to see if there are any reports of storms. You can get weather reports weeks in advance. The weather channel does a very good job of warning of hurricanes, floods or tornadoes weeks before they happen.

Hurricane season is from late June to November and sometimes in October. This happened to me in early October, 1995 when I traveled to Mississippi to attend a funeral and I ran into Hurricane Opal. The funeral had to be postponed for a week. Here in Buffalo, there is a need to prepare now for the coming winter season. The city of Buffalo is planning a series in the districts to inform people on how to prepare for snowstorms. Disasters do not always have to be weather related. A fire or a gas explosion can occur. There have been several gas explosions recently in other parts of the country. When this happened fire officials went door to door telling people to leave their homes right away. They had no time to go back and get their belongings. What do you do in this situation? One thing is to have a “Grab and Go Bag” right near your front door. The following are some things that you can include in your Go Bag:

1. Water bottles

2. A flashlight

3. A first aid kit

4. Snacks

5. Important papers enclosed in a plastic bag in case of flooding

6. Money, mostly coins

7. Baby wipes and diapers if you have a baby

8. A cell phone charger

9. Small games and toys for children. You will need them if you are in an evacuation center.

Other items you can include: your medication, glasses, a battery powered radio or a hand- held crank radio and crank flashlight.

This is just a short list. You can add other items that you might need. Also, never go to bed at night without more than a full tank of gas in your car. You can also include a Navy whistle that can be heard from miles away if you need help when stranded Remember, keep this Go Bag near your door at all times. When you are told to leave your house you have something to take with you!!

You should always keep a full tank of gas in case you have to be evacuated for any reason. A battery-operated radio and lots of extra batteries. Keep a warm blanket and jacket if stranded in your car. Keep a plastic bag for garbage. You can also buy urinals for women and men to use in case someone has to use the bathroom. Check online to purchase them. Keep plastic forks and spoons and paper plates in your car. Always have a can opener for food in cans and food for a baby. Keep your Prescriptions handy in any situation. Always keep a first-aid kit. This is just a short list. You can include other items that you need. The important thing is to prepare ahead of time for emergencies. Share this article with your friends and relatives!