Emergency Preparedness at Home

America is more “connected” now than ever before, with on-demand access to information and just about anything you want delivered to your front door overnight. But recent natural disasters around the world have shown that even in this modern age, you and your family need to be prepared to survive on your own after an emergency.

It may take days or even weeks for emergency and relief workers to get to everyone impacted by a disaster. And basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may not be restored to service for a lengthy period of time.

Every family needs to keep on hand enough food, water and other necessary supplies to sustain themselves until help arrives or you can safely leave the area and get to a shelter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a website, www.ready.gov, with information on how to be prepared for both natural and man-made disasters.

FEMA recommends putting together a basic emergency supply kit and keeping it in your home in an easily accessible location. The items that should be included in the kit are:

 

• A three-day supply of food and water, including at least one gallon of water per person per day and non-perishable food items
• A hand-crank or battery-operated radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio with tone alert
• A first-aid kit
• A cell phone with chargers, an inverter or a solar charger
• Dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape in case of a chemical event that contaminates the air
• Items for personal sanitation such as moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
• Tools and supplies including a flashlight, a can opener, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, extra batteries and a whistle to signal for help  
• Maps of the local area

Other items you may want to keep with your kit include prescription medications; food or supplies for infants or pets; copies of important family documents such as insurance policies, medical histories, bank and financial records, and passports; cash and/or traveler’s checks; extra clothing, blankets or towels; a fire extinguisher and matches; and personal hygiene items.

A disaster can strike without warning, and the best way to protect your family is to be prepared. These tips, along with additional information available on www.ready.gov, are a good start to make sure your family is safe and comfortable following an emergency situation.

For more tips for your home, visit the MBA website at http://www.mbapierce.com/ or the National Association of Home Builders at www.nahb.org.