Ready in 3

Emergencies happen. It can be a tornado, house fire, flood or terrorist attack.  Local officials & relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately - you could get help in hours or it could take days. The most important thing to remember in an emergency is to stay calm.  Being prepared for an emergency can help protect your family.  The whole point of preparation is to do as much as possible before an emergency happens.


 

  Three Steps to Prepare for an Emergency

 

Make a Plan - for you, your family & your business
 Make a Kit - for home, car & work

Listen - for information about what to do & where to go


Make a Plan

Develop an emergency plan for you & your family - your entire family should know the plan.  Talk about how you will reach each other in different situations.  Consider contacting the same friend or family member by phone or email.  Think about making the contact an out-of-town relative, as a long distance phone call may be easier to make during an emergency.

Plan for two situations - sheltering in place or evacuating.

  • Watch TV or listen to the radio for information
  • Use common sense
  • Try to stay calm & keep your family calm


Sheltering in Place
Before an emergency, decide which room in your house will be safest if you have to stay - normally an interior room with the fewest windows and doors.  A couple things to keep in mind: There should be enough space for all people and pets; and exterior doors should be locked.

In an emergency where poisons are in the air, you may have to seal the room as best you can.  This involves:

  • Closing windows, air vents, and fireplace dampers
  • Turning off air conditioning, forced air heating systems, exhaust fans, and clothes dryers
  • If instructed, seal doors and air vents with heavy-duty plastic sheeting and heavy-duty tape 
  • Keep emergency supplies in this room
  • Listen to the TV or battery-powered radio for information


Evacuation
Sometimes it may not be safe to stay in your home.  Plan where family members can meet. Know where you will go & how you will get there.

  • Plan several different routes
  • If driving, keep windows & vents closed, and air conditioning & heat off
  • Bring ID, such as drivers license, state ID or insurance card
  • Bring an emergency supply kit with you (see below)
  • Turn everything off & lock doors/windows - remember your keys
  • If you can, bring your pets -many public shelters won't allow pets (plan for your pet's care in case you cannot bring your pet with you)

Make a Kit
 
If an emergency happens, you might not be able to get food or water for days or weeks, or your electricity may not be working.  Try to have a three day supply of food & fresh water for each person - at least one gallon of water for each person/day (more if space is available).
 
Food & water aren't the only things you need to have on hand.  The following items should be part of your emergency kit. Keep the items in a container that can be easily carried in case you need to leave home - a large bag, plastic container, a trash can with a lid.
 
Basic Supplies
  • Water and canned or dried foods
  • Radio (battery or windup)
  • Clock (battery or windup)
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries for the radio & flashlight
  • Prescription medicine
  • First-aid kit

Car Supplies
(Keep a small, portable supply kit in your car at all times.  In addition, you should include a small, personal supply kit with these items:)

  • A gallon of water
  • Several cans of food & a manual can opener
  • A sleeping bag or extra blanket
  • Extra money
  • First-aid supplies

Listen
 
It is important to stay calm in an emergency.  Get as much information about the situation as possible.  Many of us rely on TV, radio & the internet for news, but some emergencies may knock out the electricity.  Make sure to have a battery-powered or windup radio.  City, county, state & federal officials have developed emergency plans.  During an emergency, it is important to follow their instructions and advice.


Remain Alert
 
Your plan is in place, your emergency supply kit is stocked & ready, you've talked to friends & family.......now remain alert.  Review your plan regularly.
 
Remember - emergencies can affect anyone, but by being Ready in 3, you've taken an active role in your safety & the safety of your loved ones.

 


For more information about being prepared visit these links:


Red Cross

Columbus Public Health Department

Franklin County Board of Health

Franklin County Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Department of Homeland Security