Don't Wait for Disaster to Happen! BBB Prepared!



Don't Wait for Disaster to Happen! BBB Prepared! Posted Tuesday, June 02, 2009 by Luanne Kadlub Tornadoes. Hail storms. Floods. Power outages. Blizzards. Fires. No one is immune from any one of these disasters-in-the-making. Unfortunately, no one can predict when disaster — man-made or weather-related — is headed our way. And that’s why it’’s imperative to have a disaster plan for you, your family and your business. If you don’t have a disaster plan, your BBB suggests that you take time now to put one in place. It doesn’t haven’t to be complicated or lengthy. But it should include the following: Get a kit, make a plan, be informed and get involved Get a Kit When preparing for a possible emergency situation, think first about survival basics: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Your emergency kit should include: • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation • At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food — and don’t forget about your pets • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both • Flashlight and extra batteries • First-aid kit • Whistle to signal for help • Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) • Local maps Have a Plan A family emergency plan lets everyone know what to do and where to go when disaster strikes. An out-of-town contact might be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Make sure each member of the family knows the number and has coins or prepaid calling cards to call the emergency contact. Be patient if phone lines are down. Be Informed Take time to learn about the different types of disasters common to our area and the best ways to respond to them. In addition, learn about emergency plans established by state and local governments. Get Involved After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies by getting a kit, making a plan and being informed, take the next step and get involved in preparing your community. Know Who to Call If disaster does indeed strike and you need help repairing your home or business, look to reliable BBB Accredited Businesses to help you get the job done. Have you experienced a disaster? What will you do differently if it happens again? We’d like to hear about your experiences!

Tornadoes. Hail storms. Floods. Power outages. Blizzards. Fires.

No one is immune from any one of these disasters-in-the-making. Unfortunately, no one can predict when disaster — man-made or weather-related — is headed our way. And that’s why it’’s imperative to have a disaster plan for you, your family and your business.

If you don’t have a disaster plan, your BBB suggests that you take time now to put one in place. It doesn’t haven’t to be complicated or lengthy. But it should include the following: Get a kit, make a plan, be informed and get involved

Get a Kit

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, think first about survival basics: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Your emergency kit should include:

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

• At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food — and don’t forget about your pets

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

• Local maps

Have a Plan

A family emergency plan lets everyone know what to do and where to go when disaster strikes.

An out-of-town contact might be in a better position to communicate among separated family members. Make sure each member of the family knows the number and has coins or prepaid calling cards to call the emergency contact. Be patient if phone lines are down.

Be Informed

Take time to learn about the different types of disasters common to our area and the best ways to respond to them. In addition, learn about emergency plans established by state and local governments.

Get Involved

After preparing yourself and your family for possible emergencies by getting a kit, making a plan and being informed, take the next step and get involved in preparing your community.

Know Who to Call

If disaster does indeed strike and you need help repairing your home or business, look to reliable BBB Accredited Businesses to help you get the job done.

Have you experienced a disaster? What will you do differently if it happens again? We’d like to hear about your experiences!