Community / Preparedness

Neighbor to Neighbor -- The Downtown Solution: IPNTA's Guide to Community Healing

Preparedness

Make An Emergency Pack

Prepare an Emergency Pack in case you have to evacuate. Red Cross and FEMA recommend the following items if you have to evacuate.

The "Short List" – if you have only moments before leaving, keep these items in an immediately handy place:

• Medical supplies: prescription medications and dentures.
• Disaster supplies: flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid kit, bottled water
• Clothing and bedding: a change of clothes and a sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
• Car keys and keys to the place you may be going, e.g., a friend's or relative's home. (Don't count on being able to use your car however.)

Ideally, you want to have these items ready:

• Flashlights with plenty of extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Phone that plugs directly into the wall jack (not electric or cordless)
• Battery-operated lamps/lights (safer than candles)
• Candles – if using, they should be encased in glass holders
(no open candles)
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications in the original bottle, copies of prescriptions
• Eyeglasses (with a copy of the prescription)
• Water (at least five gallons per person is recommended)
• Foods that do not require refrigeration
or cooking
• Items that infants and elderly household
members may require
• Medical equipment, such as dentures, crutches, prostheses, etc.
• Change of clothes for each household member
• Sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member
• Checkbook, cash, and credit cards
• Map of the area

Keep your important papers together, and know where they are. And, it's a good idea to always carry with you proof of residence. Important papers to take:

• Driver's license or personal identification; Social Security card
• Proof of residence (deed or lease)
• Insurance policies; Birth and marriage certificates
• Stocks, bonds, and other negotiable certificates
• Wills, deeds, and copies of recent tax returns

Information Sources:
Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/evacuation.html
Family Disaster Supplies Kit (stock number A4463)
Your Family Disaster Plan (A4466)
Before Disaster Strikes:How to Make Sure You're Financially Prepared (A5075)
Ready.gov (FEMA) – http://www.ready.gov/make_a_kit.html

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