Emerging issues: Disaster Preparedness, the need of the hour
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighbourhood or confine you to your home. To deal with any such emergency some practical tips are given below.
Preparing as a family to deal with disaster
1. Make sure your family has a disaster plan in place before a disaster occurs.
2. Find Out What Could Happen to You : Find out what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them. Ask about animal care after a disaster. Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed. Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or day care centre, and other places where your family spends time.
3. Create a Disaster Plan: Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case. Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
- Outside your neighbourhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number. Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets/ animals.
4. Complete This Checklist :
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance).
- Teach children how and when to call the local Emergency Medical Services
- Number (102) for emergency help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water,
gas, and electricity) at the main switches.
- Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Get training from the fire department for each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
- Conduct a home hazard hunt.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take a first aid and CPR class.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
- Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
5. Practice and Maintain Your Plan:
- Quiz your kids every six months or so.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
- Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Change the batteries of torches, radios etc at least once a year.
6. Neighbours Helping Neighbours:
Working with neighbours can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbours to plan how the neighbourhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. Know your neighbours' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbours who have special needs, such as
Disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for childcare in case parents can't get home.
If disaster strikes
- Remain calm and patient
- Put your plan into action.
- Check for Injuries Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
- Listen to Your Battery-Powered Radio for News and Instructions
- Check for Damage in Your Home.
- Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
- Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
Shut off any other damaged utilities.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids immediately.
Remember to...
• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Check on your neighbours, especially elderly or disabled persons.
• Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
We do not know when the disaster will strike but knowing what to do when disaster strikes can save life. yours and of your loved ones.
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