The American Red Cross West Virginia Region urges everyone not to wait until an emergency occurs and it’s too late.
“We strongly encourage you to take steps now to prepare,” said Courtney Clark, Executive Director for Southeast West Virginia. “We see disasters often this time of year, so it is vital for you and every member of your household to have a plan.”
Whether the emergency is a home fire or a hurricane, the situation may force you to leave your home. The Red Cross offers the following 10 steps to be prepared if the emergency makes it unsafe to remain at home:
• Follow the instructions of officials and evacuate if told to do so.
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
• Remember you may have to get out on foot depending on the type of disaster. If you don’t have a car, or can’t use your vehicle, plan on how you will leave the area.
• If you have a car, keep the gas tank full if an evacuation order is possible. Don’t let the tank go below half full in case gas stations are unable to pump gas.
• Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. This could be a motel, the home of a friend or relative a safe distance away, or an evacuation shelter. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to find shelter information and weather and emergency alerts for more than 35 different situations.
• If you have time, let someone out of the region know you are evacuating and where you are going. Leave a note saying when you left and where you plan to go.
• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection.
• Be alert for road hazards such as downed trees, flooding, etc. Do not drive onto a flooded road.
• Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Grab your emergency kit and drive your planned evacuation route. Include an alternate route in a different direction in case one is impassible. Make sure you have locations and maps saved on devices such as cell phones and GPS units and on paper.
• Don’t forget your pets. If it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for them either. Prepare a phone list of pet-friendly motels and animal shelters located along your evacuation route. Keep in mind only service animals are usually allowed in shelters.
The Red Cross also encourages residents to follow three steps — get a kit; make a plan; be informed.
• Get a kit. Pack the following items in an easy-to-carry container – a gallon of water per person, per day; non-perishable food; flashlight and hand-crank or battery-powered radio; extra batteries; sanitation and personal hygiene items; copies of important papers; extra cash and any medical or baby supplies family members may need. See full details here.
• Make a plan. Have all members of your household help devise your emergency plan. Consider what emergencies could happen where you live; what to do if you are separated and how will you let loved ones know you are safe. Find full details and easy-to-use plan templates here.
• Be informed. Learn what disasters are common to your area. Find out how local authorities will let you know an emergency is happening. Make sure at least one household member is trained in first aid and CPR in case help is delayed during a disaster. You can also download the Red Cross First Aid App at redcross.org/apps to have instant access on how to handle common first aid emergencies. Learn how to get fully informed about emergencies here.
Gov. Jim Justice has also recognized September as National Preparedness Month in the Mountain State.
“Investing in the preparedness of ourselves, our families, businesses, and communities can reduce fatalities and economic devastation in our communities and in our nation,” Justice said in his proclamation, adding that “emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every citizen of West Virginia and all citizens are urged to make preparedness a priority and work together, as a team.”
In addition to the Red Cross tips, the W.Va. Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offer the following: take time to learn lifesaving skills, such as CPR and first aid; check insurance policies and coverage for such hazards as flood, earthquakes, and tornadoes; consider the costs associated with disasters, and save for an emergency; and know how to take such practical safety steps as shutting off water and gas.
For more information, visit ready.wv.gov.
— Email: wholdren@register-herald.com and follow on Twitter @WendyHoldren
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