The North Coast CERT 26-week Disaster Preparedness Planner
Week 7: February 13 – 19, 2012
- This list is designed to be a starting point. Be sure to adjust each item to suit your own specific needs.
- For more information about this planner click here.
Things to buy this week:
- 1 gallon water *
- 1 can of ready-to-eat soup *
- 1 can of fruit *
- 1 can of vegetables *
- 1 gallon water for each pet **
- Extra plastic baby bottles, formula and diapers **
* Per person in household × 1 week (your specific Rural Factor).
** Optional depending on your requirements.
Things to do this week:
- Clearly date each perishable food/liquid item using the marking pen
- Check your house for hazards
- Make a list of items you'll need to buy to secure furniture or heavy items in place
- Have a fire drill at home
No place like home
Not only is home where the heart is, but it’s also where we feel safest. But when was the last time you took a good look at your home to see how safe it really is?
Home hazards come in different shapes and sizes, from worn-out electrical cords to unsecured objects. So take a slow walk around your home and look for potential hazards.
The danger zone
As you look around each room, be aware of the three primary hazards: electrical issues, tall or heavy furniture and stuff that can fall on you.
If you have overloaded outlets, try to eliminate the “electrical octopus” which can potentially cause overheating and fire inside the wall. Avoid running extension cords under carpets and rugs. If any of your extension cords are old or ragged, play it safe and replace them. And never run heavy load-drawing appliances such as heaters or refrigerators on extension cords.
Be sure to make a list of tall bookcases and other furniture that should be secured to the wall. We’ll pick up the required supplies in a couple of weeks.
While you are looking upwards, look for any items on shelves overhead. In an earthquake, these items will most likely end up on the ground unless precautions are taken. Putty and “museum wax” are great for affixing small objects to shelves. Consider nylon line or Velcro to hold the larger and heavier items.
If you are maintaining your disaster plan, take that home hazard hunt once again this week to ensure that no new hazards have crept into your home.
Can you escape?
If a fire were to start in your home, does your family know how to safely evacuate the building? Sit down with your family members this week and discuss how you each would escape the house during a fire, as well as where you would meet outside. If they are old enough, teach your children how to call 911 in an emergency. And finally, give them advanced warning that you will have periodic fire drills.
So every now and then choose an opportune time to hold an impromptu fire drill. Position yourself where you can observe their reaction and yell, “FIRE DRILL” loudly five times. Then stand back and watch what happens. Afterward, review your group performance and consider how you would do it differently the next time.
If you hold fire drills often enough, your family will quickly learn how to quickly evacuate the building, regardless of where they are or what they’re doing.
The North Coast CERT 26-week Disaster Preparedness planner is your tool to ensure your household and workplace are prepared. By following this weekly planner, in 26 weeks you will have established a disaster preparedness plan and supply kit for your home and/or workplace.
When the 26-week planner is complete, preparedness continues by following the “maintenance” section. This will help you keep your plan and your disaster supplies up to date.
Never fear if you are joining us partway into the planner: you will have the opportunity to catch up on missed weeks when the Planner begins again in July. The Planner is about ongoing preparedness.
Join us at North Coast CERT in taking the 26-week Disaster Preparedness challenge. As a community and a region we can become prepared. The time we spend now can make all of the difference when the worst happens.
Be aware. Be prepared.