Family Preparedness Guide
During and after an emergency, it is important to stay calm. Even after an event, there may still be dangers. What seems like a safe distance or location may not be safe. Stay tuned to your local radio and TV station and follow the advice of trained professionals. Unless told to evacuate, avoid driving to allow emergency vehicles access. What you do next can save your life and the lives of others.
If you evacuate your home during an emergency, shelters, food, and clothing are commonly available through the American Red Cross. Seek medical care at the
nearest hospital or health care provider. Keep in mind the people nearest in proximity to someone with life-threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care.
Life threatening emergencies can happen fast. Emergency responders aren’t always nearby. You may be able to save a life by taking simple actions immediately. You Are The Help Until Help Arrives is a FEMA program dedicated to educating and empowering the public to take action.
During an emergency you might be cut off from food, water, and electricity for several days or more. If power is out, food stores may be closed and your water supply may not be accessible. ATMs may also be down, so be sure to include cash in your preparedness kit.
Water: If an emergency catches you without a supply of clean water, you can use ice cubes and the water in your hot-water tank or pipes. If it is safe to go outside, you can also purify water from streams, rivers, rainwater, ponds, lakes, natural springs, and snow by boiling (for 5 minutes), distilling, or disinfecting. To purify water with bleach, use 10 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains only 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite.
Food: During and after an emergency, it will be important that you keep up your strength by eating at least one well-balanced meal each day. Take vitamins, minerals, and/or protein supplements as needed.
