EMERGENCY CHECKLIST
THE PLAN
Start by collecting information:
What kinds of disaster are most likely in your area?
Are there signals or sirens in your community? What do they sound like? Are there plans for a drill?
What government organization is in charge of coordinating activities regarding evacuation and relief?
If you have kids, what kind of plan is in place at their school or daycare?
What kind of assistance is available to help with the elderly or handicapped?
Once you have answers to these questions, conduct a serious family discussion about “what if” scenarios, alternatives, plans, and agreed meeting places and responsibilities.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
In almost any scenario, having enough drinking water for at least 3 days is essential. The Red Cross recommends storing enough water for two weeks if you shelter in place. You will need a minimum of one gallon per person per day and more if it’s hot. Store it in clean 2-liter soda bottles or gallon water containers.
Be as simple or extravagant as you have time and money to be. If you will be soldiering through an event at home, often a well-stocked pantry is adequate for days or even weeks depending on your stockpiling proclivities. Eat the contents of the fridge first, then the contents of the freezer. Many foods can be prepared over a camp stove, barbecue grill, or open fire, but do this outdoors, not in the house. Zippered plastic bags are useful for sealing non-perishable food that has been opened. If you don’t have one, get a manual can opener.
Flashlight and spare batteries. Candles and oil lamps are fine, but can pose a fire hazard.
Swiss Army knife. Get a good one for your “go” box. Even if you don’t get any other tools, the Swiss army knife has enough basic tools to be useful.
Having a reliable source of information. Watch the news or listen to the radio if you have power. If the power fails, use a portable, battery-powered radio. Knowledge is power. Being isolated fosters fear.
Vital personal needs such as diapers and formula for babies, medication for health conditions, spare eyeglasses. Rotate through this stuff regularly to make sure you have enough. Don’t allow yourself to run out completely. That also goes for gas in the car. Refill when you are down to a quarter tank.
BEYOND THESE ITEMS, YOU CAN EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING FOR INCLUSION:
Extra clothing, shoes, outerwear such as hats, gloves, jackets.
Space blanket, blankets, pillows. (Pillows are not essential but can be comforting.)
Matches in a waterproof container. Some type of dry tinder can help.
First aid kit to include several sizes of adhesive bandages, gauze, breathable tape, hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, an anti-bacterial ointment, tweezers, and small scissors. Add more as you deem necessary.
Toilet paper and other hygiene items.
Copies of important documents such as personal ID, insurance and home inventory, etc. Scan, digitize, and add a CD of other important records to your “go” box. Revise at least once a year.
Books or games.
Gather this collection together in a place known to everyone in the family. If you need to leave in a hurry, you should be able to pick up your “go” box and head out the door. Each family is going to have a slightly different list depending on their needs.
This page is a recommendation for the most basic disaster plan, for a full Emergency Preparedness Review contact Joli Residential.
