It's always a smart idea to ensure your family's safety and prepare for an emergency.
Disaster preparedness is crucial, especially in a region like South Central Pennsylvania where unexpected emergencies can occur at any time. Ensuring that you and your loved ones are equipped to handle such situations is of utmost importance. This comprehensive guide aims to empower you with the knowledge and resources necessary to be well-prepared for any crisis that may arise.
Create a Plan
There are many different types of emergencies, one of the largest being natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires and more. The best place to start is creating a plan for each emergency that could pertain to you and your home. For example, living in York, Pennsylvania means you’re far enough from the coast that you most likely won’t be in the direct path of a hurricane, but you might experience severe flooding as a result.
So where do you start? The American Red Cross recommends these three steps to create the perfect plan for your household.
Gather your family or household members and discuss as a group the types of emergencies most likely to happen in your area.
Assign responsibilities to each family or household member and discuss how you will work together as a team.
Practice as much of your plan as possible.
Here are a few more tips to consider when creating your plan:
Decide on meeting places for your family in case of separation.
Have important contacts stored somewhere accessible in case the power goes out or your phone dies.
Plan for everyone in your home including pets, children, people with disabilities and older adults.
Build a Survival Kit
The American Red Cross has several helpful resources for preparing for an emergency. Here are the general items they recommend including in your kit.
Water - The amount of water needed can vary depending on the disaster you’re planning for, but it is recommended to have one gallon per family member per day. The Red Cross recommends keeping a 2 week supply in your home.
Non-Perishable Food - Make sure you have enough non-perishable food items that are easy to prepare for each household member. It is also recommended to have a 2 week supply for your home.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery powered or hand crank radio
First aid kit
7 Day supply of all medications and medical items
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of important documents such as: passports, medication lists, birth certificates, insurance documents, etc.
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Map of the area
If you have pets or babies, make sure to include the things they will need such as pet food, extra water, diapers, bottles, etc. You can also add things to your kit based on emergencies that are more prevalent in your area. With the storms we’ve been experiencing lately in South Central Pennsylvania, we would recommend additional tools in case of fallen tree branches or other obstacles.
Store Your Kit Safely
When you’re dealing with food and electronics, it’s very important to make sure you store them correctly. Make sure your safety kit is stored in a waterproof container high enough from the ground in case of flooding. We also recommend keeping your important documents in a fire-proof safe in case of emergency.
Prepare Your Home
There are many things you can do around your home to prepare for an emergency ahead of time. Here are a few things we recommend.
Know where your water, gas and electric shutoff is. This way when disaster strikes, you’re not scrambling to find your shutoffs.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. This way if the power goes out, you’re food will stay cold longer.
Store your insurance documents in a safe place for easy access when a storm hits.
Elevate furniture if flooding is a concern. This will help keep your furniture safe from water damage.
Move all loose outdoor items inside or weigh them down. Items such as grills, patio furniture, and plants can blow away in severe storms causing more damage to your property.
Make sure all storm drains are clear of debris so your home doesn’t flood.
Consider purchasing a generator in case of a power outage.
Return Safely
If you we’re forced to evacuate your home, make sure to take appropriate measures to maintain safety when returning.
Look for Damage: Before entering your home, look for damage outside. Walk the exterior of your home and check for fallen branches, power lines, and any crack in the foundation of your home.
Check for Sounds and Smells: Make sure you don’t smell gas or hear any strange hissing noises before entering the property, If you do, contact your local fire department immediately.
Check the Interior: Use your emergency flashlight to assess the inside of your home. Make sure there aren’t any frayed wires and inspect all appliances before using them.
Document Any Damage: Make sure to be as thorough as possible so you can submit your insurance claim.
Once you’ve completed the above, you can begin to clean up and recover from the damage. Depending on the severity of the storm, cleaning and repairing your home can become a larger project. At Westwood Home Services, we’re here to help you through everything life throws at you. Don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to help you and your loved ones through tough times.
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