To prepare for a disaster, know the most likely regional disaster – here, forest fire in the summer and snowstorms/deep freeze in the winter.

Create a Disaster Plan (fire evacuation):

• Pick at least 2 places to meet: One right outside your home incase of sudden emergency like fire; one (or several) in case you can’t return home.
• Ask an out-of-state, or out-of-region friend to be the “family contact.”
• Plan for pets – shelters may not take them.
• Post emergency phone numbers and teach children how and when to call.
• Show everyone how to shut off utilities, how to use fire extinguisher, find escape routes, and safe spots in the house.
• Install smoke detectors (especially if you have a wood stove)
• Take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR class
• Practice and maintain your plan
• Get to know and share with your neighbors, special skills, special needs
• Make a plan for winter storm:
• Designate a household leader
• Keep enough food, water, firewood and supplies in your home for a week.
• Know how and when to turn off your utilities: propane, electricity and water
• Extra blankets., coats, gloves, hats, water resistant boots, long underwear.
• Discuss procedures of being stuck in cars etc…..
• Know the difference between “Watches and Warnings”
  • A “Watch” means a storm is possible.
  • A “Warning” means a storm is coming.
  • A “Blizzard Warning” means strong winds, snow, and cold are coming.
• When a “Watch” is issued:
  • Listen to radio/T.V.
  • Pay attention to changing weather.
  • Don’t travel unless necessary.
• When a “Warning” is issued:
  • Stay indoors until storm is over.
  • If you go out wear warm layered clothing “Hat, gloves, and scarf to protect lungs”.
  • Be aware of wind chill temperatures and keep exposed skin to a minimum.
  • Walk carefully on snow and ice.
  • Shoveling snow is strenuous, take breaks and don’t over exert yourself.
• If you must drive:
  • Have supplies.
  • Make sure that you have enough gas.
  • Make sure someone knows that you are leaving, where you are going and how long you will be gone.
  • If your car gets stuck:
    • Stay with your car. Don’t walk in severe cold.
    • Make a flag so that your car is visible.
    • Use heater intermittently. 10 minutes per hour. Make sure exhaust is clear to avoid fumes. from backing up into car.
    • Keep inside light on to be seen “Restart car to make sure battery won’t run low.”
    • Keep blood circulating in arms and legs to stay warm.
    • Let some fresh air into your car via a window not facing the wind.

• Supplies (most things apply to sheltering in place, * items apply to evacuations)

  • Drinking Water: 1 gal per person per day; Some washing/flushing water
  • Food – non-perishable (include some of these in your evacuation kit as well as MREs and emergency rations, adjust water requirements appropriately)
  • Canned or powdered supplies – meat, fruit, juice, milk, soup
  • Staples eg flour, sugar, oil, etc
  • High energy foods – pb&j, granola bars, trail mix, nuts
  • Instant coffee, teabags, comfort foods – candy, cookies, crackers
  • Home First Aid Kit (see Family Disaster Supplies Kit for details)
  • Important Family docs* such as: Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, ss cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, passwords, credit card acct #s and companies, family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
  • Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers

• Tools and Supplies:

  • Battery or hand crank radio (with spare batteries), access to weather radio*
  • Flashlight and extra batteries, bulbs*
  • Candles and safe containers*
  • Hardwired phone, that works without electricity
  • Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
  • Pliers*, duct tape*, wrenches that fit household gas and water shutoffs
  • Toiletry items, eg tp, soap, fem supplies*, garbage bags*, plastic buckets with tight lids
  • Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach
  • Seasonally appropriate clothing* and bedding*
  • Baby supplies – food, diapers, medicine
  • Entertainment – non-electric games, books
  • Prescription Medications and Vitamins

• Car kit should include:

• Blankets, dry extra clothes, a shovel, sand, chains if necessary, jumper cables, first aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, and brightly colored flag cloth.
• Winterize your cars: Tires, ice melting washer fluid, check coolant.
• Make winter supply kit for cars.

Stay tuned: Listen to weather radio or T.V. for updates