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Tips You Can Use – Personal Catastrophe Planning
By Dan Weedin, CIC
All of us have been moved by the tragic events this month in the Gulf Coast. Thousands have lost their homes, belongings, and lives due to Hurricane Katrina. The devastating effects drive home the point that all of us should take steps to review and improve our personal catastrophe planning. Catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina, whether natural or man-made, can strike at any time and impact our lives. Take a few minutes to study these 9 tips and develop a personal catastrophe plan for you and your family:
- Identify hazards in your home, such as frayed wires or large amounts of
gasoline stored in the garage. Hazards should be reduced as much as
possible.
- Learn first aid and CPR skills, which can lessen injuries after they
occur.
- Make certain your children learn your full name, address, and phone
number at the earliest possible age.
- Develop an emergency evacuation plan. For example, you should work with
family members to establish escape routes and rehearse these periodically.
- Establish a disaster meeting place and an outside family contact. For a
sudden emergency, a location right outside the home should be arranged.
Consider designating a friend or relative in another city as a common
contact through whom the family can communicate if separated by a
disaster.
- Keep an adequate water storage supply to use in the event you become
stuck in your home. Several days' worth of bottled water should be stored
in a cool, dark location.
- Prepare a food supply, including canned meats, fruits, and vegetables.
You should include a manual can opener and disposable utensils and plates
along with the food.
- Store emergency supplies, such as a first aid kit, flashlights,
batteries, prescriptions, and a lantern.
- Prepare a portable pet disaster supply kit for pets, including dry food,
potable water, and proof of vaccination. Proper identification on the pets
is essential.
- Practice, modify, and maintain the plan every 6 months.
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