What boomers need for an emergency
September 12, 2008
With so many hurricanes and natural disasters in the news, it’s important to think through what you’ll need if a disaster strikes your area.
Among the emergencies that boomers and their families may need to be prepared for include earthquakes, power outages, extreme heat, fires, floods, hurricanes, landslides, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, winter storms, and extreme cold.
First, develop a family emergency plan, including a plan for how to communicate with family members if an emergency arises. Determine what kinds of disasters are most likely to occur in your area and how you’ll be notified.
The American Red Cross has an emergency contact card that you can print out so that each member of the family can carry one with them.
Next, buy or assemble emergency supply kits that will provide enough supplies for each family member for three days. This will reduce anxiety and make you and your family more comfortable when emergencies occur.
Kits can be purchased from the Red Cross, big-box retail outlets, sporting goods stores, REI, and other organizations. Prices range from $35 to $200, depending on the number of people and days they’ll serve.
If money is tight, you can make your own kit. Select a bag and put water, clothing, a blanket, walking shoes, nonperishable food, a flashlight, tools, first aid kit, glow sticks, medication, a radio, and other supplies in it.
Check your emergency kit every six months. You’ll need to rotate food and medication in the emergency kit so it doesn’t become outdated.
Be sure you have an emergency kit in your car.
Third, create an emergency file. After you’ve organized your important papers, make copies of whatever you consider vital in case of an emergency. After compiling these copies, place them in a file marked Emergency Information. Place the file in a file box with a handle. Put the box in a closet where you can grab it if you need to leave in a hurry.
Avoid the use of candles during an emergency. In Miami, a family whose mobile home survived hurricanes Charley and Frances lost their home to a fire when winds fanned the flames from a candle. They had no homeowners insurance.
You should have at least one traditionally wired landline phone, as cordless or cellular phones may not work in an emergency.
You also need to find out about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, nursing home, and school.
Be sure you also learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.
See the Office of Homeland Security’s Web site, Ready.gov for additional information.
More people say they’ve done some preparation for an emergency since 9-11, according to the National Preparedness Month’s Blog.
- 58 percent of Americans say they’ve done something to prepare for emergencies.
- 53 percent have created an emergency management plan.
September is National Preparedness Month.
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