Red Cross urges households to prepare for emergencies
September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross Delmarva Region encourages all households to use this time to get ready for the next emergency or disaster.
“Having a game plan in place is essential for all households so everyone knows what they should do when an emergency occurs,” said Patrick Delaney, regional executive, American Red Cross Delmarva Region. “National Preparedness Month is a perfect time for Delmarva residents to create or update their plan.”
The local Red Cross will participate in Delaware Family Emergency Preparedness Day Saturday, Sept. 21, to help attendees develop their family disaster plan, receive preparedness tips and learn more about preparedness in the community. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village at 866 North DuPont Highway in Dover.
It is important that everyone in the household helps put the emergency plan together and knows what they should do if something occurs. Household members may not be together when a disaster happens - especially during the day when many people are at work and school. The plan should include ways to contact one another and two predetermined places to meet - one near the home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire, and one outside the neighborhood in case circumstances prevent people from returning home. People should also identify an emergency contact person from outside the area in case local telephone lines are overloaded or out of service.
Any emergency plan should also include decisions about where family members will go if ordered to evacuate and what route they will take to get there. It’s a good idea to include alternate routes in case roads are closed. If pets are part of the household, make sure to include plans for them such as pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters along the evacuation route.
The Red Cross has free mobile apps that provide information on what to do before, during and after emergencies including developing an emergency plan. The apps can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.
Another step to get one’s household ready is to build an emergency kit in a container that is easy to carry so the family can use it at home or take it with them if asked to evacuate. It should contain a three-day supply of water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a seven-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items, and copies of important personal documents. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks’ worth of emergency supplies at home.
The public should stay informed about what types of disasters are most likely to occur where they live or where they plan to visit. It is also important to take a First Aid and CPR/AED course - a vital component of disaster preparedness in case emergency help is delayed.
