Harry Stone Crime Watch #1155

EMERGENCY TIPS IN CASE OF A STORM...

EMERGENCY STORM TIPS FOR DALLAS

Below are three plans that were forwarded to me by another crime watch group. First, is the Family Plan. Second is the Disaster Supply Kit information. Lastly is the Neighborhood Plan. Something that has been announced on the Dallas News is to make sure you secure ALL outdoor items, have plenty of ice on hand in an ice chest and do not use candles as they tend to cause more fires since there is a possibility that our city will have a power interruption. Also, with this storm, there is the possibility of numerous tornadoes. Make sure you have a plan prepared for where you can go for safety in the event a tornado does strike.

Please read all the information below and act accordingly as you are able to. If you have any questions or need any help, please call our voice mail service at 214/967-HSCW (4729) to let us know.

Cindy

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THE FAMILY PLAN:

The Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Department of State Health
Services has developed a publication titled "Preparing for the
Unexpected." Its first piece of advice is to establish an emergency
family plan, which should include:

Escape routes: Know how to escape from each room of the house, as well
as from the neighborhood.

Family communication: Have a plan for contacting one another in case of
separation. Designate a person out of state whom everyone can call.

Communication with emergency personnel: Know who to call and keep their
numbers near each telephone and cell phone.

Utility shut-off and safety: Know how to disconnect home utilities in
case of gas leak or fire.

Insurance and other important records: Keep copies of valuable personal
papers at a safe, remote location.

Special needs: Know what extra steps to take for family members who are
very young, very old or ill or who have other special needs.

Safety skills: Learn how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and
first aid.

Pet care: Have a plan for emergency pet care.


DISASTER SUPPLY KIT:

The Texas Department of State Health Services also recommends that each
family member keep a kit nearby containing such items as:

Water: Enough for at least three days and at least 1 gallon of water per
person per day.

Food: Items that require no refrigeration or preparation, such as peanut
butter, nuts, dried fruits and protein bars. Replace according to
expiration dates.

Clean air items: Nose and mouth protection masks with N-95 rating (masks
that filter out 95 percent of particles 0.3 microns or larger), plastic
sheets and duct tape.

Extra clothing: At least one change of clothes per person, plus shoes
and a blanket.

First aid kit: Sterile gloves and gauze, soap, antibiotic ointment and
towelettes, burn ointment, thermometer, and any required prescription
medications and supplies.

Emergency items: Flashlight and extra batteries (replace every six
months), battery-operated radio, whistle, shovel and basic tools, baby
wipes, toilet paper, plastic garbage bags and maps.

Special needs items, if necessary: Baby food and formula, diapers,
powdered milk, baby wipes, medications and diaper rash ointment for
babies; prescription medications and supplies for dentures and/or
contact lenses for adults.

A NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN:

At home: When disaster strikes, don't forget about your neighbors.
Rallying together during times of crisis with your community, including
schools and employers, can help you feel less alone and alleviate some
anxiety.

The Texas Homeland Security Department recommends working with your
neighborhood watch program, homeowners association or tenants group to
include disaster preparedness activities on the home front. Discuss how
everyone could work together until help arrives, and find out if anyone
has specialized equipment such as a power generator, or expertise such
as medical skills, that might help in a crisis.

Your neighborhood also should identify residents who may have special
needs, such as the elderly and disabled, and develop a backup plan for
taking care of area children if their parents are not able to get home
in an emergency.

At school: Get in touch with your child's school about plans for a
crisis. How will they communicate with families? Do they store adequate
food, water and other basic supplies? Do they have an assigned shelter
in case they need to evacuate?

At work: If you are an employer, make sure you are taking steps to
protect your employees. Take a look at the ventilation system and make
sure it would be adequate in filtering potential contaminants, and
figure out how to turn it off if you need to. Think about what to do if
your employees can't go home, and stock up on appropriate supplies.

Getting away: If the government says you must evacuate, do it if you are able. But
make sure you have a plan. These tips from the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security may help:

If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case
you need to evacuate.

Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation
out of your area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if
it becomes necessary.

If time allows, call or e-mail the out-of-state contact in your family
communications plan, leave a note telling others when you left and where
you are going, and check with neighbors who may need a ride.

Email us
Chairman@HarryStoneCW.org