The question I have heard before is why do we need to be prepared? As all of us are familiar with 9/11 and natural disasters, we know things happen that are out of our control. Earthquakes, fire, high winds, power outages, severe storms, flooding, chemical spills, war, civil disorders or terrorist actions, plus death, loss of a job, divorce, separation, and illness are just a few things that could happen in our lives. I have heard the saying before that if you are prepared you shall not fear. We pay car/home insurance for those “just in case moments”; well having a disaster response plan is like insurance for those tough times that are unforeseen.
Create a Disaster Response Plan:
Talk with your family about why you need to prepare for a potential disaster. Discuss what you might do with each type of disaster that could take place. Every 6-12 months, discuss and update your plan.
Pick 2 safe places to meet immediately following a disaster:
Immediately outside your home during sudden emergency (in-home fire)
Outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number
Choose an out of state friend to be your family contact. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance and most phone service is active for 10 minutes. If family members are separated during an emergency, they should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know the contact phone #.
Address special needs i.e. handicapped, elderly, pets, etc.
Teach children how and when to call 911 for emergency help
Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster, especially an earthquake.
Instruct each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it is kept.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
Install CO2 detectors within 40 feet of all rooms used for sleeping. Install a detector near your gas furnace. Follow manufacturer’s installation.
If possible, a reserve of fuel (coal, oil, wood, etc) should be part of the storage plan, at least enough for cooking purposes. Various supplementary heating and cooking units, some portable, are available. The best types can be used in an emergency both for the preparation of foods and for warmth. Storage of fuel can be dangerous, and in some areas it is prohibited by law.
When the power goes out, you have several options for preparing meals. All options are good if you are adequately prepared for them. Any recipe you use should not cook much more than 20 minutes or even less to conserve fuel. When choosing recipes, keep in mind that leftovers cannot be stored if the power remains off and there is no ice to cool and keep them.
Possible options: a grill, hibachi, dutch oven, camp stove, gas range, 6 hr cans w/chaffing dish, a buddy burner, apple box oven
Heating sources: propane, charcoal, coal, wood, newspaper logs, white gas, kerosene, lamp oil, diesel, gas fireplace.