Be Red Cross Ready
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Last year, the American Red Cross, Northwest Arkansas Chapter responded to 262 local disasters, including floods, fires, and tornadoes. Disaster can strike quickly and without warning – are you prepared?
We encourage you to Be Red Cross Ready with these 3 actions:
1. GET A KIT
Get or assemble a disaster supplies kit:
Gather enough emergency supplies to meet your needs. A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home and to keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. Check your kit and replace the stock every six months. Whether you purchase a kit or choose to build your own, your three-day kit should include:
- A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, juice boxes, etc
- A manual can opener
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries
- A first aid kit and reference guide
- Prescription and non-prescription medication items
- Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards
- Cash. ATMs and credit cards won’t work if the power is out
- Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
- A change of clothes for everyone, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy footwear
- One blanket or sleeping bag per person
- Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities
- An extra set of home and car keys
- An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, extra batteries for hearing aids
- Pet supplies
2. MAKE A PLAN
Prepare a Personal Disaster and Evacuation Plan
The American Red Cross urges each and every household to develop a household disaster plan.
- Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered and why it is important to prepare for a disaster.
- Identify two meeting places; One right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
- Be sure to make advanced preparations for your pets. Be aware that pets may not be allowed in shelters. Contact hotels, motels, family members and animal shelters to see if they would allow pets in a disaster situation. Keep a contact list of “pet friendly” locations. If you are asked to evacuate, take your pets with you.
- Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. During or after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance, especially if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your emergency contact person’s phone number and email address.
- Tell your family about the Safe and Well web site accessible at all times via www.redcross.org. The Safe and Well Web site is an Internet-based tool that allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being. People within a disaster affected area are able to and post standard “safe and well” messages. Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell, or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.
- Show and explain to each family member how and when to turn off the water and electricity at the main switches. Turn gas off only if instructed by local authorities. Remember, if the gas is shut-off, only a professional can turn it back on.
- Plan your evacuation route. Use local maps and identify alternate evacuation routes from home, work and/or school. Know where you are going and how you plan to get there before you leave home.
3. BE INFORMED
Find out what types of disaster are likely to occur in your area and how to prepare for each. Find out how local authorities will contact you during a disaster. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions and follow the advice of local authorities. Get trained in CPR and first aid so you will know how to respond to emergencies in the event that help is delayed. If you are told to evacuate, do so immediately. You may choose to evacuate sooner than alerted if you think you may need additional time.
View an interactive presentation to learn more about these 3 actions and ensure that your family is prepared for disasters and emergencies.
To download the Be Red Cross Ready brochure and a list of recommended items for your family’s preparedness kit, click here.
For Red Cross tips on specific disasters and emergency situations, click here.
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