Guilford Woman May 2011 : Page 43ARE YOU READY FOR A DISASTER? What would you take if you only had 10 minutes or less to evacuate your home? Chances that you will need to evacuate or leave your home because of some sort of disaster – man-made or weather-related – are slim. But happens. Are you ready? Preparation is key. Start with an emergency kit that includes one gallon of water per person per day for three days along with a three-day supply of nonperishable food for each family member. Along with this have ready a flashlight with extra batters, a first-aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, dust mask, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and of course, your cell phone with an inverter or solar charger. Depending on your family’s needs, you might want to include pre-scriptions, infant formula and diapers, pet food and cash. Place copies of important family documents such as insurance policies, identification and financial records in a waterproof, portable con-tainer. Pencil and paper, paper cups and plates along with plastic utensils could be useful. And if you have kids, pack some games, books or puzzles. Know in advance where and you and your pets and/or livestock can go and who to contact in the case of an emergency. An out-of-town friend or relative is ideal as an emergency contact person, especially in instances when family members are at several locations – school, work, traveling – and normal communication channels are down. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to send and receive text messages. Consider downloading smart phone apps that pro-vide emergency information. Article courtesy of: Better Business Bureau of Central North Carolina 3608 West Friendly Avenue | Greensboro, NC Phone: 336.852.4240 | Website: greensboro.bbb.org GUILFORD WOMAN | MAY 2011 43 Disaster PreparednessWhat would you take if you only had 10 minutes or less to evacuate your home?<br /> <br /> Chances that you will need to evacuate or leave your home because of some sort of disaster – man-made or weather-related – are slim. But happens. Are you ready?<br /> <br /> Preparation is key. Start with an emergency kit that includes one gallon of water per person per day for three days along with a threeday supply of nonperishable food for each family member. Along with this have ready a flashlight with extra batters, a first-aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, dust mask, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and of course, your cell phone with an inverter or solar charger.<br /> <br /> Depending on your family’s needs, you might want to include prescriptions, infant formula and diapers, pet food and cash. Place Copies of important family documents such as insurance policies, identification and financial records in a waterproof, portable container. Pencil and paper, paper cups and plates along with plastic utensils could be useful. And if you have kids, pack some games, books or puzzles.<br /> <br /> Know in advance where and you and your pets and/or livestock can go and who to contact in the case of an emergency. An out-of-town friend or relative is ideal as an emergency contact person, especially in instances when family members are at several locations – school, work, traveling – and normal communication channels are down. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to send and receive text messages. Consider downloading smart phone apps that provide emergency information.<br /> <br /> Article courtesy of:<br /> Better Business Bureau of Central North Carolina<br /> 3608 West Friendly Avenue | Greensboro, NC<br /> Phone: 336.852.4240 | Website: greensboro.bbb.org Publication List |
