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"When disaster strikes the time to prepare has passed"
Part 1: KEEPING YOUR FAMILY SAFE DURING NATURAL DISASTERS
updated for 2006
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written by Bob Hejl, W2IK - all rights reserved
First responder at WTC 9/11 "Ground Zero" and other disasters, ex-AEC, ex-OES, Red Cross Shelter Manager, Damage Assessment
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Also check out: FAMILY PREPAREDNESS PART 2: "Keeping Your Family Safe From Terrorism"
click on the above title to be taken there
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FAMILY - YOUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY
Although This Webpage Was Originally Written For Emergency Response Personnel, It Has Been Updated As A Reference Source For Everyone
EVERY FAMILY NEEDS TO READ THIS WEBPAGE
During an emergency, it is vital that your complete focus be on any task at hand. Before you should even consider becoming involved in emergency response, or if your business takes you away from where you live, you must make sure that your family can function at home without you. If this is not the case, if your family can not be comfortable without your support, you might be more concerned about your family's welfare back at home and this worry might cause undue stress if you are away on business or it might effect your ability to properly carry out your emergency duties.. The term "family first" is very important.
First, in order to allow greater security you must develop for your family what I call a "home bag". A "home bag" is a collection of items that your family might need to help them through an emergency situation while you are away. It will also make things easier when you are home with them. You must always bear in mind that a small, local event, such as a wildfire or river flooding, might easily expand and encompass a greater area lasting for a longer period of time. If you are away on an assignment, or just out of town, and your family has the proper supplies, information and family training, it will make your absence less stressful because you know they will be better prepared.
YOUR FAMILY'S "HOME BAG"
Some of the items I'd suggest you include in such a "home bag" collection are: duct tape , at least two rolls. Duct tape has many uses from sealing things you wish to protect to preventing windows from shattering during a violent storm. You should tape a large "X" on each large window pane. Obtain several flashlights to use just for your homebag. (Nothing is worse than a flashlight with dead batteries because you used the light for everyday use.) I like using portable (camping) fluorescent lights because they use less energy for the amount of light they produce so their batteries will last longer. There is also an LED-type flashlight that recharges when you shake it. You can get either of these in the sporting goods department of any large store. Be sure to include several changes of batteries for each flashlight. (Buy them fresh, keep them stored in plastic bags in the event they leak. That stuff about freezing batteries so they'll last a lot longer is nonsense because the moisture condensation on the refrigerated batteries will form a small discharge circuit between the terminals) You will also need enough bottled water for at least 5 days, a battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries, a roll of heavy plastic sheathing that you can cut and apply to any window area that does break, a heavy-duty staple gun with extra staples, canned or jarred food that needs no heating such as canned fruits, powdered milk, other non-perishable food such as "power bars", candles (use with extreme care and never unattended), a lighter and several boxes or books of matches, a disposable rain poncho for each family member (brightly colored so you can be seen in the dark by on-coming cars if your vehicle breaks down and you have to walk), basic hand tools such as a hammer, cutters etc, prescription and non-prescription medication (enough for 5-7 days), cash, in case your family needs to buy additional supplies and ATMs are defunct, a decent first-aid kit, a note pad (large spiral type), pens and markers, a battery powered digital clock , three rolls of 1000 sheet single ply toilet tissue and any supplies/food and food bowl/leashes for your pet (the four-legged kind, not your mother-in-law). Review the items you have collected with your family. There may be other items they might wish to include that will make them feel more secure. Perhaps a deck of cards or some games should be included in the event they have to evacuate to a shelter. The time spent in a shelter can be long and boring. They might need a book or cards to take their minds off what they think might be transpiring back at home. We call these things "comfort items" and they can go a long way in relieving some of the stress your family might experience.A list of contact phone numbers of other family members or friends. A local area and state map.
A REVIEW OF "HOME BAG" ITEMS:
see above text for details
duct tape
several flashlights with several changes of batteries
bottled water for at least 5 days
battery-operated AM/FM radio
heavy plastic sheathing
heavy-duty staple gun
canned or jarred food
powdered milk
"power bars"
candles
lighter or books of matches
rain poncho for each family member
hand tools
prescription and non-prescription medication
cash
first-aid kit
note pad with pens and markers
battery powered digital clock
toilet tissue
any supplies/food and food bowl/leashes for your pet
deck of cards
comfort items
a list of contact phone numbers
local area and state map
YOUR NEXT STEP
Each member of your family should also have on them at all times a list of phone numbers of friends, relatives and phone numbers of your local Red Cross, Salvation Army, and fire, police and rescue numbers. Develop a sequence of places to stay if the need should arise that they have to evacuate from your home. Also, you should plan an additional place to meet if an emergency develops in your area and you are located elsewhere and are unable to get home. This might be a relative's home or a friend who lives nearby, but not in your area. In the event of possible flooding, such as may be the case during a hurricane, severe spring thaw or a series of intense storms, make sure that each location you choose is above any flood range and can be reached without having to drive through any low-lying areas. Plan such a route and practice driving it. Make sure that your family's vehicle always has at least a half tank of gas AND that all adult members of your family know how to change a flat tire. Always keep a can of heavy-duty "flat fixer" in the trunk of your vehicle. Store both a local area and state map in the glove compartment and in your "home bag" so your family can locate any shelter, or home, if their own evacuation needs to take place. Buy and keep in your car a decent set of jumper cables and teach your family how to properly use them. If you don't know how, consult the following website by clicking here: " W2IK'S HOW TO JUMP START YOUR CAR."
DON'T BECOME A VICTIM
(In more ways than one)
IF THE NEED TO EVACUATE SHOULD OCCUR, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FAMILY KNOWS TO TAKE THEIR "HOME BAG" WITH THEM. If they have to leave, make sure they lock up their house as tightly as they can and leave at least one light and a radio on (if you have power). Make sure they leave a note, IN A CONCEALED LOCATION that only family members know, so if any of your family comes home they know where the other family members are. Keeping it in a concealed location will reduce the risk of any robbers spending a longer amount of time ransacking your home. If they think you are just down the street, when they hear a radio on, they might pass your house by. If they know you are in an evacuation center by reading some note you left on the fridge.... it's "Christmas time" for them. There are, I am sad to say, people out there who prey upon families during disasters. Not to sound commercial, but GE sells a good, self-contained motion sensing alarm system that is keypad controlled. It uses 4 "AA" batteries so no need to worry about power outages when you aren't home. It emits a VERY loud siren that will chase anyone out of your empty home. It sells for about 25 dollars and is well worth it. (GE "SmartHome" Keypad Controlled Motion Sensing Alarm) Mount the alarm eye-level on the first floor in a major "traffic area" such as the living room or hallway.
During an emergency, teach your family not to fall for any "lines" that might come their way. There have been cases where people try to persuade family members to give them their address so they can "drive by" and make sure your house is intact. What they really intend on doing is to rob your home, knowing that no one is there. Never give your keys, address or phone number out to anyone. The only exception is giving your name to verified emergency personnel at the shelter. And even then, use common sense. The Red Cross is covered by law and will NOT give any information to anyone, even the police. If your family does go to a shelter make sure that even their "small talk" with strangers doesn't lead a path back to harm them or their property. Tell them never to give another person at a shelter medication, not even an aspirin. That is called "dispensing medication" and only a registered nurse or doctor can do that. Don't open yourself up for a lawsuit. If you are in a shelter, keep an eye on your children. It usually is a public place, such as a school, so they will have to use public restrooms. Make sure they don't go alone. Escort them AFTER asking a shelter worker to watch your personal items. Keep your valuables and keys with you at all times.
Reassure your family members that we live in a country that quickly rebounds from disaster and things will soon return to normal. If there are children in your family it might be a good idea if the adult of the family group that is evacuating tries to make it appear as if it's either an "adventure" or a mini-vacation. In doing so it will help keep the children calm. Make time before you evacuate to have your children pick out their favorite toy or stuffed animal to bring with them. Some children feel more secure if they sleep on their own pillow, so bring them. Make sure you also bring changes of clothing, packed in a suitcase. This will lend to the illusion that you are going on a "vacation" and your children will be less stressed. (Don't forget the coloring books and crayons! And by the way, you might find coloring as good therapy for yourself.)
FAMILY TRAINING
You might also want to do some simple training with your family, such as taking them through the steps of covering a window with plastic sheathing and stapling it in place. Show them how to reload more staples in the gun. It's better they learn how to do this on a sunny day, so they will be better equipped to do the real thing under stress during a storm. Remind them that the safe way to use candles is by keeping them far away from anything that they might ignite, such as drapes, and use sturdy bases to hold them. NEVER leave a lit candle unattended. This includes keeping them away from snooping pets. I have large candles that are encased in heavy glass. They are the same type as those inexpensive glass encased religious candles that you might have seen, only the glass is clear. These candles last longer and are safer to use than thin "dinner mood" candles. I am not a big fan of using candles but there may be an extended period of time where the loss of power to your home may force you to use candles when your battery operated lights have been depleted. All of the items that are listed above can be stored in a large plastic bin with a snap-on cover. These storage bins can be purchased at any "Walmart", "K-Mart" or any hardware or discount store. Keep your family's "home bag" in a dry, cool location. Every year replace all the batteries and food/bottled water in your "home bag". It's a small price to pay for peace of mind.
STAYING AT YOUR HOME
If your family is remaining at home (also called "Sheltering In"), make sure they know enough to always keep doors and windows on the first floor locked. Never allow anyone entrance into your home unless it is a uniformed police or fire official, they show ID and they drive up in an official car. Never allow a child to answer the door. There have been cases where robbers will try to force their way into your home under the guise of being an emergency official. Do not fall for that trick. If there are any elderly people living in your neighborhood, advise them of the same. At night if you have power, keep some sort of light on so it shows that there is some activity in your home.
During strong storms there will be an attraction to go to the window to look at what is going on outside. Most children, and some adults, are fascinated by this. Fight the urge to do so and remain away from any window. Windows shatter, as do eyes, from flying glass. A window can easily be replaced, eyes cannot. Keep all blinds closed as this will add to protection should something happen. The blinds will deflect most of the broken glass that might otherwise harm you. Remain on the ground floor because it will offer better protection during severe storms. You don't want to be on the second floor of a home during a storm and be struck by a falling limb that breaks through your roof. This is rare, but it can happen. During the spring, make sure to have any tree limbs that come close to your home properly trimmed by an expert. Limbs covered with heavy wet snow or coated with ice can be very dangerous if they snap during a windy storm and come crashing through a roof or window. Also make sure that they are trimmed away from your power lines, again by a professional.
Make sure that your family keeps a radio on so they can be alerted to any changing conditions of the emergency. In the case of a hurricane they can track it's path. In the case of wildfires they might be alerted if the wind direction changes and they have to evacuate. If you have a child of "middle school age", give them the responsibility of being a "reporter" by having them listen to the radio and write down any important details which may come up. This way, it will give them something they feel is useful to do and will help them pass the time with "busy work". Just make sure you also listen to the radio for the right facts, but don't let them know. Keep a special ear on any information during a wildfire. You might have to evacuate, but driving directly to a shelter might take you right into the fire's path if you don't know exactly where the fire has spread to. During a wildfire threat, mark on a map, based upon information from news sources, where the fire's coverage is so you can avoid it if evacuation needs to take place.
I hope you have learned that by properly preparing for an event it will lessen the impact it has upon you. If you are thinking that there is no need to develop a "home bag" for your family because your area is never visited by hurricanes then you are quite mistaken. There are other "like events" that can become just as threatening no matter where you live. A freak snowstorm could block the path from your home to the closest town. A mudslide might cut off your family from the rest of civilization. Tornadoes? Wildfires? Earthquakes? Spring thaw floods? Toxic chemical spills that happen on almost a weekly basis? As you can see, there are many threats above and beyond hurricanes that make it important that you build your family a home bag and keep it up to date.
The best way to protect your family is when they are armed with the most up to date information. After you have obtained the items to make your "home bag" and have trained your family members you can rest assured that they will be much better equipped to function when you are deployed with emergency communications duties.
The above information isn't only for families of emergency communicators, but also for EVERY family. Feel free to print out my suggestions and pass them to neighbors and friends as long as my byline remains intact with any copy.
SOME ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIVE IN HURRICANE PRONE AREAS:
Might I suggest that if you live in an area, such as Florida, any Gulf Coast Area and the Carolinas, where there are constant threats from hurricanes, that you take two preventive measures which might save you from heartache. Neither suggestion will make your home "hurricane proof" so when there is a call to evacuate GET OUT!!! It will, however, greatly improve the chances that you will have a house to come back to.
NUMBER ONE: In the Spring, get some 1/2 inch exterior plywood and pre-cut and label pieces which will cover each of your home's windows. On the exterior of your home install 6-8 lag screws per window perimeter that also have threaded "machine screw" ends so that when the time to secure windows arrives all you have to do is slip the pre-cut plywood (with pre-drilled holes that match up with the lag bolts) over the proper window and tighten them down with washers and wing nuts. (You can follow the same steps to protect any doors, such as glass sliding patio doors. If the door is too big, if possible, piece the plywood in horizontal sections.) This method of using lag screws into the window perimeter with machine threads on the exposed section of the hardware and washers with wingnuts makes installing and removing them easier than cutting plywood and nailing or drilling when the hurricane is bearing down on you. The boards can be stacked when not in use and can be stored just about anywhere. You may also wish to paint them with exterior paint so they last longer. By doing this, now, you won't be rushing to the lumber store just before a hurricane when plywood supplies might be depleted.
NUMBER TWO: We have all seen on television, or witnessed for ourselves, the damage a strong storm can do when it rips a roof right off a home like a sardine can being opened. In a great deal of cases this can be avoided. There are for sale galvanized brackets (also known as "hurricane straps") that when properly installed will hold the roof rafters (trusses) to the house. They cost about a buck each and the average size house will need about 80 of them. Most homes are built with the roof rafters just "toenailed" in place and the only real way the roof stays on is by it's sheer weight. Once a hurricane force wind gets the roof to lift, even a little, the momentum keeps the lifting action in force until the entire roof is ripped off. Using "primeguard"-type exterior screws (because nails tend to loosen under "storm stress") to mount these brackets in your attic, either by yourself or by a professional, the chances of your roof being ripped off will be greatly reduced. If you have a NEW home built, insist that these brackets be installed on EVERY roof rafter.
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NOW AVAILABLE
the companion website:
(read only after your total immersion of this website)
"KEEPING YOUR FAMILY SAFE FROM TERRORISM" - click on this title to be taken there.
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VISIT SOME OF MY OTHER WEBSITES BY CLICKING BELOW
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