Emergency Preparedness and You

What You Can Do to be Prepared

Disasters Can Happen Anytime and Anywhere 
– Yes, Even in Iron County, Michigan

When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. Would your family be prepared to cope with an emergency that may occur until help arrives? Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. Once a disaster strikes, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies.

1. Stock disaster supplies to last several days to a week for yourself and those who live with you. This includes having nonperishable foods, stored water, and an ample supply of prescription and nonprescription medications that you regularly use. Also, remember to have special items on hand for infants, adults, and disabled family members. However, the Red Cross does not recommend hoarding supplies.
   
2. Make a list of family physicians and emergency numbers and keep this list readily available.
   
3. Keep your automobiles and recreational vehicles filled with gasoline.
   
4. In case the power fails, plan to use alternate cooking devices in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use open flames or charcoal grills indoors. Also, be sure you have a plug-in type telephone available. A cordless phone is handy but may not work if everyone else is also trying to call, causing an overload on the system.
   
5. Have extra blankets, coats, hats and gloves to keep warm. Please do not plan to use gas-fueled appliances, like an oven, as an alternate heating source. The same goes for wood-burning or liquid-fueled heating devices that are not designed to be used in a residential structure. Camp stoves and heaters should only be used out of doors in a well-ventilated area. If you do purchase an alternate heating device, make sure it is approved for use indoors and is listed with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
   
6. Have plenty of flashlights and extra batteries on hand. Don’t use candles for emergency lighting.
   
7. Examine your smoke alarms now. If you have smoke alarms that are hard-wired into your home’s electrical system check to see if they have battery back-ups. Every fall, replace all batteries in all smoke alarms.
   
8. Be prepared to relocate to a shelter for warmth and protection during a prolonged power outage or if for any other reason local officials request that you leave your home. Listen to a battery-powered radio or television for information about where shelters will be available.
   
9. If you plan to use a portable generator, do not connect the generator to your home’s electrical system. Also, be sure to keep a generator in a well-ventilated area-either outside or in a garage, keeping the door open. Don’t put a generator in your basement or anywhere inside your home.
   
10. Have some extra cash and change on hand in case of an emergency. A credit card would also be beneficial should travel become necessary.
    
11. Check with your emergency services providers for more information on specific items.

These two agencies are both working to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and disasters. Additional information on emergency preparedness can be obtained from the American Red Cross for Iron County at 1-800-453-5504 or the Emergency Services Office at 875-3102.

Okay, so you are all set. What about other family members, your friends, your neighbors, the shut-ins, and our senior citizens? Are they ready? Can they get ready without our help? We cannot stress enough that we need to assist people that cannot help themselves. Take that extra step to help others!

Discuss possible disasters with your family members and your personal plan of action . Remember there will always be someone wondering if you and/or your family are okay. Depending on the disaster and if a local contact is not possible, choose an out-of state friend or family member as a "check-in contact" for everyone in your family to be able to call.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Stock up on necessary items now. This is Iron County! Home to possible disasters such as windstorms, ice storms, snowstorms, rainstorms, flooding, and potential forest fires, etc.

Make your check list now!