Don't be Left in the Dark
Blackout s are always a possibility, even when severe storms or other disasters haven't found their way into your area, and power outages are not uncommon during the summer months. Here are a few helpful tips on what you can do before and during a blackout:
- Make sure you have an emergency toolkit and a family communications plan ! Your toolkit should contain basic short-term survival materials, like bottled water and non-perishable goods.
- Tape the refrigerator and freezer door to prevent opening and keep your perishable food fresh for as long as possible. Throw away any food that has been exposed to 40° F temperatures for more than two hours.
- If the blackout isn't storm related, make use of this time outdoors with family and friends!
- Keep non-electrical entertainment on hand, such as board games and charades to make time pass more quickly (this is especially helpful with children).
- Make sure to keep a camp stove and a stockpile of flashlights handy in case the blackout runs longer than expected.
- Be prepared for extended outages and keep a full tank of gas and a full cellphone battery.
- Maintain a positive attitude! This is essential in any emergency situation.
For more information on how to prepare for blackouts, you can visit the American Red Cross , and also check out these other useful blackout tips !
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Preparing Older Americans
Partnering with older Americans and engaging them in preparedness efforts can make a significant difference in communities before, during, and after disasters. On July 11-12, the Delaware State Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hosted a two-day Disaster Preparedness class at the Barclay Farms Senior Community in Camden, DE. 40 staff members and residents received fire extinguisher training in preparation for a digital fire suppression exercise, and participated in several other activities.
Everyone has a role in disaster response. Here are a few ways you can engage older Americans in your community and empower them to prepare for disasters:
Remember preparedness is vital for everyone! For more information and resources on engaging older Americans in disaster preparedness, read Ready.gov's Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans or visit the Red Cross website.
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Getting Creative with Emergency Preparedness
There are a number of creative ways to get your community involved in emergency preparedness. One fun idea is to plan and organize a Disaster Kit scavenger hunt !
Hosting your Disaster Kit Scavenger Hunt is easy! All you need to do is:
- Create a list of emergency items (like the ones listed in the link above).
- Make handouts for each of the participants contained in the list.
- Review the items with the participants and explain why each item is important in an emergency situation.
- Find the items! (This can be done at the store or at home if the listed items are readily available!).
Preparedness can be fun, getting a little creative can make it much easier to engage members of your community. Click here for a creative spin on the disaster kit scavenger hunt!
Are you looking for some inspiration? Do you have a fun idea for getting people involved? Visit the Emergency Preparedness Pinterest board to share ideas!
For more information on building your Disaster preparedness home kit, visit http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit .
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Rural Readiness
Large flat tracts of land, such as farms and fields can be vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards. Floods can damage crops and make them inedible. Large isolated barns and silos may be particularly vulnerable to lightning, and by extension, fire. It is imperative to always be two steps ahead when it comes to ensuring your farm's safety in the event of a natural disaster.
Here are a few extra steps you can take to protect your land and livestock:
- Familiarize yourself with the disaster response plan in your community. Know where you can find emergency shelters.
- Take full inventory of your property, livestock, equipment, chemicals, and fuel.
- Choose a safe, flood-resistant location to store extra fuel, food and water for livestock, and a generator.
- Know your evacuation routes for you and your livestock, and keep livestock out of barns that are prone to flooding.
If your field is flooded during a disaster, it is recommended that flooded areas not be planted again for at least 30 to 60 days. Before replanting, make sure the soil is dry and has been reworked.
Looking for more information on preparing your farm for disasters? Check out the FEMA page for farmers and gardeners .
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Dates for Your Calendar!
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