We cannot always control Mother Nature, but we can prepare ourselves for disasters. In order to be prepared, everyone should do three things: prepare an emergency supply kit, make an emergency family plan, be informed about the different types of emergencies that occur and the appropriate responses for each one. You may need to survive on your own after an emergency so make sure you have enough food, water, and other supplies to last you for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they can't always reach everyone immediately. Keep in mind that basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for an extended period of time.
Get a Kit A basic emergency 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
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
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Additional items to consider including in your emergency supply kit:
Prescriptions medications and glasses
Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding for winter months or if you are evacuating to a cooler climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Create a Family Emergency Plan
Your family may not be together when disaster strikes so it's important to plan in advance. How you will contact one another? How and where you will get back together? What you will do in different situations? Creating a family emergency plan will help you answer these questions. Some important things to consider in developing a plan:
It may be easier to call someone long distance rather than locally in case of emergency. Make sure each member of your family knows the number and has enough change or a pre-paid calling card in case they need to use a pay phone to make the call.
Inquire about the plans at places your family spends a lot of time: school, work, day care.
To print out an emergency plan form from ready.gov, click here.
Be Prepared for Specific Emergencies
For more information on specific emergencies, visit the Georgia Emergency Management Agency or click on one of the links below: