Emergency Preparedness

Disasters can happen at anytime and rarely are we totally prepared for them.  They can be natural, such as tornados and floods, accidental such as fires, or deliberate terrorist acts.  There are ways to prepare yourself and your family now!  Preparing now can reduce stress during and after an incident, ensure that your family can find each other if separated, and reduce the loss of property and life.   

So what can you do?

 Make a family plan:

1.      Meet with all household members; discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather and other emergencies.

2.      Draw a floor plan of your home.  Mark 2 escape routes.

3.      Learn how to turn off utilities.

4.      Post emergency numbers near your telephones and teach children how and when to call 911.

5.      Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

6.      Pick two meeting places:

·         A place near your home in case of a fire

·         A place outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.

7.      PRACTICE. PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Household emergency kits should include but are not limited to the following:

Basic Kit:

__  Water, One gallon per person per day

__  Food, at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food

__  Battery powered radio

__  Flashlight

__  Extra batteries

__  Dust mask, or cotton t-shirt to help filter air

__  Moist towelettes, for sanitation

__  Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

__  Can opener, non-electric

__  Garbage bags and ties

__  Clothing and bedding for each person

__  Rain gear

__  Plates, cups, utensils, paper towels

__  Matches, in waterproof container

__  Signal flare

__  Paper and pencil

__  Personal hygiene items

__  Whistle, to signal for help

For Infants:

__  Formula                  __  Diapers

__  Bottles                    __  Medications

__  Baby wipes            __  Diaper rash ointment

For Adults:

__  Prescription medications

__  Eye glasses/contacts and supplies

__  Dentures and supplies

For Seniors:

__  List of prescriptions including dosage

__  Extra glasses and hearing aid supplies

__  Wheelchair batteries

__  List of style and serial numbers of all medical devices

__  Copies of medical insurance

__  List of doctors and emergency contacts

First Aid Supplies:

__  2 pairs of sterile gloves                 __  Sterile bandages

__  Soap and antibiotic towelettes      __  Antibiotic ointment

__  Burn ointment                               __  Adhesive bandages

__  Eye wash solution                         __  Thermometer

__  Prescription medications                __  Prescribed medical supplies

__  Scissors, tweezers                         __  Pain reliever (aspirin, ibuprofen)

__  Anti-diarrhea medication                __  Antacid

Additional items:

__   Emergency numbers                      __   Pre-paid phone card

__   Family Emergency plan                 __  Pet supplies, vet’s phone number

For more information regarding Bio-terrorism,

Emergency Preparedness or Pandemic Influenza

contact the Western Racine County Health Department

or visit one of the links below.

Dial ‘211’ for Racine County resources 

www.pandemicflu.gov

·        Site contains checklist for families and individuals, businesses, schools and day care facilities to help prepare for a pandemic.

www.bt.cdc.gov

·        For more information on terrorism, pandemic influenza and specific bio-terrorism agents.

www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov

·        State of Wisconsin preparedness plans

www.redcross.org

·        Emergency preparedness tips for all types of hazards. 

www.racineco.com/emergencymanagement

·        Emergency response information specific to Racine County.

www.fema.gov

·        The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s official site.

www.pandemic.wisconsin.gov