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Disaster - Protect Your Future by Preparing Today

Todays is : Tuesday, 02 December 2008

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“My parents knew they had to pack important documents such as insurance papers, Social Security information and passports, but these papers weren’t all in one place,” says Caley, a freelance writer and journalism professor at the University of San Diego. “So, while a fire was on its way toward their house, they were busy trying to track down all these things.”

Preparedness Pays Off

Randy Jones, manager for Learning and Development at the American Red Cross, had been putting off assembling a disaster supplies kit for far too long. One day, he decided to take the plunge.

“My wife and I gathered supplies from around the house to make our disaster kit,” he says. “We purchased water and dehydrated meals and discussed the plan we had created with our children.”

The Joneses talked about how they would communicate if something happened—a vital matter, since Randy works in New York and his family lives in Virginia. They decided to use his mother as a go-between.

Less than a week later, the Jones’ home was inundated after flash floods hit Northern Virginia. Randy tried to call his wife and neighbors, but couldn’t reach them. He then followed his emergency plan, called his mother, and learned that his family was safe and sound.

The Cooks were fortunate and got out of the area unharmed. Changing direction barely a mile and a half away, the blaze spared their home. But their narrow escape underscores the need to prepare for disasters before they strike.

“The California wildfires remind us that disasters can happen quickly and have a devastating impact,” says Darlene Washington, director of preparedness for the American Red Cross. “We know from experience that if people take action to prepare ahead of time, they gain peace of mind and are better able to respond to and recover from a disaster.”

Be Red Cross Ready

You can take preparedness steps now to help you feel safer in a variety of different disasters and emergencies, from hurricanes to power outages. The Red Cross recommends that everyone take three simple actions to become Red Cross Ready for disasters and other emergencies: 1) get a kit, 2) make a plan and 3) be informed.

Contact your local Red Cross chapter to order a disaster supplies kit or visit www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady to download a checklist of supplies to make your own kit. Store your kit where it is easily accessible. Remember to check your kit and replace the contents every six months.

Talk to your loved ones about how to communicate with each other if you become separated during a disaster. Map out evacuation routes from home, work, school and other locations in which family members may find themselves during an emergency. Don’t forget to include pets in your plan, too.

Identify the types of disasters and emergencies that typically occur in your community. Be sure you know how local authorities will communicate during a disaster.

Armed with a disaster supplies kit, a plan and the right information, you can take control of the situation during a disaster. To learn more about getting prepared, visit the Be Red Cross Ready online education module.