PreParing foran emergency:The SmarT Thing To Do

This brochure can help you to plan to keepyour family safe in an emergency. It will helpyou to:

• Make an emergency kit• Make a family communications plan• Make a family evacuation plan• Make a plan for people with

in-home care needs

If you think about it, you takeprecautions every day, not justwhen a snowstorm is coming. Forinstance, you wear your seat beltin the car just in case you are in anaccident. You make your childrenwear helmets when they ride theirbicycles. You double check youriron to make sure it is unplugged.

Preparing for emergencies is notnew. Your grandparents probablyhad extra supplies in their home:soap and shampoo in bathroomclosets, onions and potatoesstored in the basement, andcanned goods on pantry shelves.They understood the value andwisdom of having a little extra onhand for emergencies.

All states have disasters, evenNew Hampshire. We have icestorms, tornadoes, floods, andpower outages. It is smart toprepare for the unexpected.

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Step 1: Make Your Emergency KitMaking a kit is easier than you think. In fact, you can start with the basics and add on over time. The checklistbelow gives ideas on what might go into a kit from the most basic to the most complete. Use this list to choosethe things that best meet your own needs.

Your CarIf you have a car, keep your gas tank filled abovehalfway. In an emergency you may not be able toget fuel. Other items to have in your car include:

Bottled waterFood (granola/energy bars)First aid kitWhite distress flagFlashlight & extra batteriesFlares/light sticksBlanket or sleeping bagEmergency reflective blanketJumper cablesTire jack and spare tireFix-a-flatShovelMaps

Your Grab BagIt is important to have a Grab Bag ready to go incase you ever need to leave your home quickly inan emergency. Your Grab Bag should include:

One day’s clothing and shoes for eachfamily memberPersonal care products (for example:toothbrush, feminine hygiene products, diapers)TowelBlanket or sleeping bagFlashlight & extra batteriesGranola bars/trail mixExtra set of car keysCashPrepaid phone cardCopies of important documents: medicaland prescription information, passports, birthcertificates, drivers license, insurance papers,bank account information ...

Your HomeIn an emergency, having these few items in your home can help keep your family safe.

If you have to leave your home quickly,don’t forget your prescription medications,eyeglasses and/or hearing aids.

Think about keeping your Grab Bag in the trunkof your car. You’ll be ready to go quickly and willhave what you need if you are stuck on the road.

If you lose power, eat the food in your refrigerator first. Without power, a refrigeratorshould keep food at a safe temperature for about four hours. If the power is off longerthan that, use your emergency food supply.

Water: at least 1 gallon, per person, per dayCan opener (non-electric)Battery powered radioABC-type fire extinguisherSmoke detectors and carbonmonoxide detectorsPrescription medications

Wired telephone (not cordless)First aid kitFlashlight & battery powered lantern3-day supply of canned or dried foods3-day supply of baby food and formula

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Step 2: Make a FamilyCommunications PlanIf you are separated and cannot get in touch with your family,each family member should call the same contact out-of-state.Fill out the card above and give copies to all family membersto keep with them. Identify:

An emergency contact in your local areaA contact out-of-state in case the emergency affectsyour local contactA neighborhood meeting place

Step 3: Make a Family Evacuation PlanIn an emergency, you may need to leave your home quickly.If you think you might need to evacuate, listen to the radio formore information. Make sure everyone knows:

The best exits out of your homeA neighborhood meeting placeLocal radio stationLocation of: Grab Bag, fire extinguisher and first-aid kitA plan for pets in case you need to evacuate

Step 4: Make a Plan for People withIn-Home Care NeedsIf someone needs special assistance in an emergency:

Tell your local fire department about their special needsIdentify a neighbor or family member who can helpif a care provider cannot get to themTalk with a care provider about what should be donein an emergencyConsider helping neighbors who may have special needs

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Extra Supplies to Have atHomeIn order to be MOST prepared, keepthese things at home:

Outdoor grill and fuelFire escape ladderRope and duct tapeExtra batteries

Never use items such as grills,camp stoves, or generators in-doors. They create carbon monox-ide, a deadly gas that cannot beseen or smelled.

Store supplies in a dry, cool place.Use supplies before they expireand replace what you use.

Your In-Home KitTo be MORE prepared, add supplies tolast 7–10 days. How can you build your7- to 10-day supply? Buy a few extrasupplies each month until you haveenough to last for at least 7 extra days.Buy foods that need no refrigeration andlittle or no cooking. Try:

Water: at least 1 gallon, per person,per dayCanned or dried fruits, vegetablesand soupsCanned or dried meat and seafoodBeverages: instant coffee, cannedjuiceRice, pasta, cereal, crackersPowdered or canned milkBaby food and formulaComfort foods; snacks, sweetsOther foods: peanut butter, cookingoil, salt, nuts

Other needed items:Personal care products (forexample: feminine hygieneproducts, diapers)

Pet needs:Food, water and medications

Twice each yearWhen you change your clocksyou should also:

To help prevent the spread of disease and illness:Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing or sneeze into your elbowWash hands often, especially when handling food, andafter coughing, sneezing or using the bathroomStay home when you are sick

Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsCheck the pressure gauge on your fire extinguishersPractice getting out of your home quickly with your familyUpdate your Grab BagUse and replace any food in your kit that will expire soon

PreParing foran emergency:The SmarT Thing To Do

Safe drinking water in an emergencyIf your water comes from a city or town system, obey “boil water” orders from officials. Heat water to a rolling boil for 2minutes. Do not use water from a well that has been submersed in flood water. Check with officials about testing for wellwater contamination. Never use flood water for any purpose because it could be contaminated.

This brochure was designedand produced by the CommunityHealth Institute in cooperation withNew Hampshire Department ofHealth and Human Services, NewHampshire Department of Safety,and Capital Area Public HealthNetwork. For more informationabout emergency preparedness,visit the following websites:

www.ready.govwww.fema.govwww.cdc.govwww.redcross.orgwww.nhoem.state.nh.uswww.dhhs.nh.gov