National Preparedness Month
Since 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated September as National Preparedness Month. Do you have a plan?
An emergency plan for your family should include plans to shelter in place or to have an evacuation route. In either case, it is important to have an emergency supply kit. Part of any emergency kit, should include enough food and water for three days. You need a gallon of water per person for three days. That’s 32 bottles (16 ounce) of water for a family of four. You also need enough food for this same period of time. You should choose foods your family will actually eat, such as peanut butter, dry cereal or granola, protein or fruit bars. If you choose to supply your kit with ready to eat meals, you should remember that you may not be able to warm the food up and if the meal is in a metal can, be sure to have a non-electric can opener.
In addition to food and water, a kit should also include a flashlight, first aid supplies, extra batteries and cell phone charger. While many vehicle’s car battery can serve the purpose of charging phones and receiving emergency updates, remember to never let a gas powered vehicle operate in an attached garage. There are approximately 2100 deaths in the United states each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Notably portable generators may not be able to charge your electric vehicle, as the EV’s charging specifications may be different from the output of the generator. Additionally, please be aware that portable generators should operate no closer than 20 feet from your home.
Part of your plan should also include an evacuation route if needed. Many states have designated evacuation zones and predetermined evacuation routes. Whether the home of a friend or family member, having a predetermined route and destination can save valuable time.
Knowing where to go, what to do and how to connect with others are the key components of any emergency plan. To learn more about being ready in the event of a disaster or emergency visit FEMA’s website, ready.gov.
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