National Preparedness Month: Emergencies

Story submitted by,

Mark Weber, Blaine County Health Department

420A Ohio,Chinook, MT 59523, 406-357-2345

As we continue with our series for National Preparedness Month, it’s time to start thinking about how to take care of ourselves in the event of emergencies.

As mentioned in earlier articles, fire, flood, winter storms or extended power outages can and do occur too frequently. They may be widespread or only affect you and your home. In any case, it’s too late to put things together when the emergency is already upon you.

Below you will find listed the minimum items you should have on hand to take care of yourself if tragedy strikes. I’ll break them into two kits as they serve two different functions.

First let’s list basic items you should have on hand to keep yourself and your family going if you are forced to shelter at home. This could be due to such things as winter storms, flooding or other natural disaster. Keeping these items in a single container or two will make it easiest to rotate items such as food and batteries so they are usable when needed.

Your Basic Emergency Supply Kit should include:

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

• Food – At least a three day supply of non-perishable food

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

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• 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

• Unique family needs such as daily prescription medications or infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and additional water

• First aid kit and manual

A second “Go Kit” should also be considered. This would include items you will want to have ready to leave your home without warning. Most should fit in a backpack you can grab and go. Think “FIRE”.

• Prescription medications or glasses

• Important family documents such as:

• Birth or Death Certificates

• Social Security Cards

• Passports

• Copies of insurance policies

• Bank records

• Cash

• Emergency Blankets

• A flash drive of family pictures or copy of hard drives

• Other documents you know you will need

There may be other items you will think of adding to fit your situation. This is the very minimum. Consider planning for longer power outages if you live in outlying areas. With a little thought and planning, you can have what you need to get by.

Next week we’ll cover some safety considerations in the event of power outages and the use of personal generators.

As always, you can get this and more detailed information at Ready.gov.

Stay in touch with us on the Blaine County Facebook page for updates on local issues affecting Blaine County.