COLLEGE STATION — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is supporting National Preparedness Month efforts by offering tips for Texans to help them get ready for and recover from a disaster or emergency.
“FEMA has designated September as National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is ‘Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare,’” said Joyce Cavanagh, an AgriLife Extension family development and resource management specialist in College Station.
Cavanagh said she hopes Texans will take this opportunity to take practical action toward protecting themselves. In particular, she noted the importance of preparing a disaster plan that includes specific needs, such as caring for children, disabled individuals, older adults and pets.
The Texas Extension Disaster Education Network, http://texashelp.tamu.edu, has information and materials on specific disasters, plus tips on disaster preparation and recovery, she said. There are AgriLife Bookstore, http://agrilifebookstore.org, materials available, many in both English and Spanish. Additional information on current topics can be found by connecting with Texas EDEN on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/txeden, Twitter, http://twitter.com/txeden, or Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/texashelp.
Cavanagh said one of the best things Texans can do is map out a family evacuation plan ahead of time and practice it.
“It’s important to create a plan that fits your family’s needs,” she said “All family members need to know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area. You will need to consider escape routes, family communication, utility shut-off and safety, insurance and vital records. You will also want to consider any special needs that might occur, especially if it becomes necessary for you to relocate due to a disaster or emergency.”
Cavanagh said such a plan should include establishing escape routes, drawing up a floor plan and including all members of the household in a practice session.
People need to know escape routes from each room in their home as well as from their neighborhood, she said.
“To establish escape routes from your house or apartment, draw up a floor plan and make sure that all family members understand the plan. Each room should have two exit points. Include all members of the household when you conduct a practice session. Be sure to select a site outside the home for everyone to meet after they’ve left the house.”
She suggested drawing a map with neighborhood streets and their names so that when authorities provide evacuation instructions so family members will know where to go.
“Prepare a contact card for each family member and have everyone keep a copy of it in a wallet, purse or backpack for easy reference.”
She said if a person is injured because of an accident or disaster, he or she may be unable to speak with emergency medical personnel. As a result, emergency responders often turn to a victim’s cell phone for clues to identity and emergency contacts.
Cavanagh also noted that for some types of disasters, it may be necessary to disconnect utility services to the home.
“Natural gas leaks are the top cause of fires after a disaster,” she said. “Be sure a responsible family member can turn off the gas, electricity and water supplies. Contact your local utility company for proper shut-off procedures.”
“FEMA is also inviting people to become involved in National PrepareAthon Day Sept. 30,” Cavanagh said. “America’s PrepareAthon is a means for individuals, groups and communities to share information and ideas to help prepare for specific hazards through drills, group discussions and other actions.”
That site is http://www.community.fema.gov/connect.ti/AmericasPrepareathon.
“If there are disabled, elderly, unhealthy or non-English-speaking people in your family, you will have to take additional steps to prepare and protect them,” Cavanagh said.
She noted that special assistance may be available in some areas and recommended calling 211. If 211 is not available in your area, call the local emergency management office or fire department to ask about any special assistance programs.
“A disaster plan should also include how to care for pets,” she said. “This might include identifying hotels or motels that accept pets or would waive a no-pets policy in an emergency and listing phone numbers and addresses of veterinarians’ offices. You may also want to identify possible pet-boarding facilities or coordinate with friends outside the area to care for the pets. You may also want to add pet food and comfort items to your emergency supply kit.”
Cavanagh said additional information on preparedness may be found by going to FEMA’s http://ready.gov website or its Spanish-language counterpart at http://listo.gov.
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