Life-Saving Tips When Facing an Emergency Situation
CHICAGO, September 13, 2007
Recent catastrophic events have shown that essential government services can be disrupted for some period and first responders may be overwhelmed. Individuals and communities who are prepared can handle the initial 72 hours after a disaster and serve as temporary alternatives to government resources.
When preparing for a possible emergency situation, The McCormick Tribune Foundation encourages Americans to think first about the basics of survival:
fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. An emergency kit is essential to have readily available and accessible. To get your kit started, the Foundation recommends the following basics.
Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener
- Local maps
Family Emergency Plan
In the event that your family is separated during an emergency, it’s important to establish a reunification plan. Develop a family phone tree; identify a central location to meet and create plans to address various emergency scenarios. The following are suggestions to begin your family emergency plan.
- Keep out-of-town contacts on file. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town. An out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Establish an emergency phone number contact list. Be sure every member of your family knows which phone numbers to call and has coins or a prepaid calling card to call the emergency contact. (You may have trouble getting through, or the telephone system may be down altogether, but be patient.)
- I.C.E. your cell phone. Include an In Case of Emergency (I.C.E.) contact person in your cell phone so those who are not members of your family have a contact in the event of an emergency.
Other things to keep in mind
- Keep emergency kits ready and make sure they are updated regularly
- Become involved in a neighborhood or homeowners association to build relationships with those who live closest to you
- Hold regular evacuation drills and make sure you are familiar with emergency procedures at work
- Designate a point person to guide people in case of an emergency
- Create a phone/e-mail communication chain so people can reach each other should something happen off-site or outside of work hours
Sources: Ready.gov and McCormick Tribune Foundation
About McCormick Tribune Foundation
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to making life better for our children, communities and country. Through its charitable grantmaking programs, Cantigny Park and Golf, Cantigny First Division Foundation and the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, the Foundation is able to positively impact people’s lives and stay true to its mission of advancing the ideals of a free, democratic society. For more information, please visit our Web site www.McCormickTribune.org.
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