Make a Plan Natural or man-made emergencies happen beyond anyone's control. What helps keep them from reaching disastrous proportions is preparedness. Have a plan and know what to do so you are in control if the unexpected happens. The disasters most likely to occur On Cape Cod and the Islands are fires (structure and wildland), floods and flash floods and hurricanes. You can learn more about how to prepare for these disasters online at www.redcross.org Evacuation Evacuate immediately if told to do so: - Listen to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
- Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Lock your home.
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities - don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
- Take your pets with you.
Know Your Utilities Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members about the utilities. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut off values.
Turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.
Your Disaster Plan Pick two family meeting places: - Outside your home in case of an emergency like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home
Establish an out of state emergency contact for family members to check in after a disaster. After a disaster, it's easier to call out of state. All family members must know this person's name and phone number. Discuss and practice your plan and evacuation. Have a plan to take care of your pets. Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or day care center and the other places where your family spends time. Teach children how and when to call 911 for help. Post additional emergency and contact number near each phone. Ensure that your family has adequate hazard insurance coverage. Most homeowner or renter policies do not cover flood damage. Obtain appropriate fire extinguishers and teach each family member how to use them. Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years.
Build a Kit Assemble and maintain a Disaster Supplies Kit. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least five days. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers. Keep emergency supplies in every vehicle. Include the following in your Disaster Supplies Kit: - A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day).
- Food that won't spoil and that you'll enjoy eating- possibly unheated.
- One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- A first aid kit.
- Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
- An extra set of car keys, cash and coins, and copies of important papers, identification, and prescriptions.
- Sanitation and hygiene supplies.
- Special items for family members with special needs, such as infants and the elderly.
- An extra pair of glasses and your family's prescription medications or at least a list of prescriptions.
Never use candles during a power outage or after a disaster!
Get Trained The American Red Cross has committed to increasing the number of Americans trained in first aid, CPR, AED (automatic external defibrillators) and other lifesaving skills. Contact the American Red Cross of the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter at 508-775-1540 to sign up for a class. Every household needs at least on Family member trained in First Aid and CPR. Click here for training course descriptions.
Volunteer One in every 235 Americans is a Red Cross volunteer. They help respond to local disasters, teach lifesaving skills, organize blood drives or even make phone calls when the need arises. We value every single volunteer - both adults and youth. Contact the American Red Cross Cape and Islands Chapter at 508-775-1540 or email us at info@cciredcross.org
Give Blood Accidents, burns, surgeries, and day-to-day emergencies we all experience draw from our nation's blood supply. Every donation may help save up to three lives. Yet only five percent of the eligible population in the United States donates blood. Simply and honestly, we need more help. Please make a commitment to give blood at least twice a year. To give blood, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.givelife.org
Other Resources:
www.prepare.org
www.disasterhelp.gov
www.fema.gov/areyouready
www.hhs.gov/disasters/index.shtml
www.redcross.org
About Disaster Relief Organizations
Fire Safety Tips
Fire is one of the most common disasters. Fire causes more deaths than any other type of disaster. But fire doesn't have to deadly if you have early warning from a smoke detector and everyone in your family knows how to escape calmly. Please be serious about the responsibility of planning for and practicing what to do in case of a fire. Be prepared by having various household members do each of the items on the checklist below. Then get together and discuss and finalize your personal Fire Plan.
Here is what you can do to prepare for a fire emergency:
Make your home fire-safe
- Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
- If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
- Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
- Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
- Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
- Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
- Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Plan your escape routes - Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
- Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
- Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
- Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape safely - Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
- If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
- If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
- If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
Home Fire Prevention Tips Smoke Detectors - Install at least one smoke detector outside every bedroom and on every level of your home.
- Check the batteries monthly and replace them at least once a year.
Portable Heaters - Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture and anything that could get hot and catch fire away from portable heaters.
- Plug heaters directly into the wall socket and unplug them when they are not in use.
Safe Cooking Practices - Keep items away from the stove that could catch fire, such as towels, clothing and curtains.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and get training from the fire department in how to use it.
Electricity - Use safety plugs in electrical outlets, especially if you have small children.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets and running cords under carpet and furniture.
General Safety Habits - Never smoke in bed.
- Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Fire Escape Drills - Plan and practice fire escape routes and make sure everyone knows two ways out of every room.
- Have a plan to escape if bars cover windows.
- Use a chain ladder to escape from upper levels and practice escaping with it.
- Teach children that firefighters are their friends, and they will help in case of a fire.
- Identify a place outside to meet in case of fire.
- Know how to call for emergency assistance.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A FIRE: Using Your Escape Plan
- Crawl low, under the smoke.
- Feel closed doors with back of your hand. If hot, use another exit. If not hot, open the door slowly and check for smoke and fire.
- Meet at the designated meeting place outside, and then call for help. Never return to a burning building.
Flood Safety Tips Prolonged rainfall over several days can cause a river or stream to overflow and flood the surrounding area. A flash flood from a broken dam or levee or after intense rainfall of one inch (or more) per hour often catches people unprepared. Regardless, the rule for being safe is simple: head for the high ground and stay away from the water.
Even a shallow depth of fast-moving flood water produces more force than most people imagine. The most dangerous thing you can do is try walking, swimming, or driving through such swift water.
Here is what you can do to prepare yourself and your family for a flood or flash flood: Know what to expect - Know your area's flood risk - if unsure, call you local Red Cross chapter.
- If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
- Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.
- Floods can take several hours to days to develop:
- A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
- A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
- Flash floods can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop
- A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area.
- A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon.
Prepare a Family Disaster Plan - Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance to see if it covers flooding.
- If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
- Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
- Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit containing:
- First aid kit
- Canned food and a can opener
- Bottled water
- Rubber boots and rubber gloves
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
- Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places; a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
When a flood WATCH is issued: - Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
- Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
When a flood WARNING is issued: Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible. When a flash flood WATCH is issued: Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.
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