We are developing a 1 page handout to be included with our emergency kits and would like to get some comments on it. Please feel free to comment here, or send me an email if you want your comments to be kept private.

Thanks to all!


Emergency Preparedness Tips:

• 1. Fill out a card containing your in- and out-of-state emergency phone contact number, emergency meeting place, location of your emergency kit, etc. Family members should always carry a card with them.
• 2. When your cell has poor or no reception – send a text message. They often get through when voice does not.
• 3. Scan all your important documents, zip them into a folder, password-protect the folder (your zip software will have the option to do that), and upload it to a USB memory device or burn a CD/DVD*. Offer out-of-state friends or relatives to exchange devices for safe-keeping. A bank safe-deposit box is also a good option.
• 4. After a disaster, survivors often claim that their most painful loss is family photo albums. Consider scanning irreplaceable photos and adding them to your Important Documents Disc or USB device.
• 5. Make sure that all cars, motorcycles, boats, and RV’s you own carry up-to-date First Aid and Emergency kits for appropriate numbers of people. Emergency kits for vehicles should contain vehicle-related items in addition to general supplies. Don’t forget a tow rope, jumper cables, light-reflecting triangle or road flares, and a can of tire sealer/inflator.
• 6. People with special needs may require special arrangements for evacuation. Prepare a plan for your loved ones and rehearse it with them. Designate an individual in the family who will be in charge of each person with special needs (this includes children, elderly, and people with disabilities)
• 7. Pets require special arrangements as well. Include dishes for food and water (small, easy to clean, made out of non-porous, non-breakable materials), pet food, extra water rations, collar, leash, muzzle (if needed), copies of immunization records, any prescription medications, and a small toy. Microchips are useful in lost pet recovery. Research pet-friendly hotels along your planned evacuation route. Arrange for a safe place to house your pets if you can not bring them along.
• 8. In an earthquake, much of the damage is caused by fire and water. Locate all utilities’ shut off points and fire extinguishers in your home and insure that all family members know where they are and how to operate them.
• 9. Designate a meaningful date once a year (birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc) to go through your kit and your Important Documents Disc or USB device and update everything that has changed or expired. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and to check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers.
• 10. Have a family meeting to create your family’s Emergency Plan. Research indicates that children are more likely to learn and follow the plan if they participate in its creation and rehearse it regularly. Make it fun to keep kids engaged. Trade roles and have them teach the plan to you. Role-play various scenarios and praise the kids for getting it right. Be patient!

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*Items to consider: driver’s licenses, passports, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, current prescriptions for medications and vision correction, diplomas, etc. If you hold insurance policies for your belongings, it is also wise to photograph expensive/irreplaceable items and scan in those pictures as well – it will greatly simplify your claim process later on.