Are you prepared for a natural disaster or major community emergency?
You are familiar with the infamous Hurricanes Katrina, Irene and Superstorm Sandy. Prepare now to survive a disaster and make any recovery less complicated.
- First: Visit the http://www.ready.gov website to arrange your family emergency plan and identify contact numbers.
- Second: Organize key financial records (see Operation Hope)
- Third: Begin creating an emergency supply kit to sustain a household for 3-7 days.
Calendars help build a preparedness kit over 3-9 months so as not to shock the household budget. - Fourth: In case you are advised to take shelter in your home, learn how to shut off the ventilation system and have materials to seal off a central room, preferably one without windows.
- Fifth: Prepare for evacuation and determine where you will go and how you will get there. Arrange what you will take with you and package it in backpacks or small plastic boxes. Include a copy of your emergency contact numbers.
Review these resources now in case you must shelter in place or evacuate:
Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Office of Preparedness: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/php/ and http://delawarepreparedness.wikispaces.com/