DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

REALITY

You may refer to your home as a ‘disaster’ when it becomes messy or disorganized, however when a real disaster strikes, you will be impacted in a much more devastating way. We hear daily of major weather related disasters………….wind storms that knock out power and communications, floods that destroy homes, mudslides carry away or cover our homes and vehicles and leave us devastated. We can’t just depend on help from governments and the ever ready Red Cross. It takes time for them to mobilize and sometimes major roadblocks prevent them from reaching entire neighbourhoods.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

Popular thinking is that we should all have disaster preparedness kits that will last up to 72 hours before help arrives. However, past experience shows one should have enough water, food and supplies to last 3 weeks. The recent windstorm that hit our island and the nearby golf islands left people without power and communication for over 2 weeks in some areas. This was a wake up call to many of us. Vancouver Island lies on a major earthquake fault. There is a 1 in 5 chance of experiencing a major earthquake within the next 50 years. Are you ready?

You may have a kit already, but are you prepared in other ways?

ESSENTIALS

1. Important documents should be stored on a cloud or on a thumb drive.

2. Food and water should be readily available (enough for 3 days to a couple of weeks)and changed when stale dated. Enter a reminder to check dates into your smart phone or calendar.

3. Don’t forget your pets. Collapsible crates for cats and dogs will provide comfort and prevent them from fleeing in fear.

4. A First Aid Kit is a must.

5. A Battery-powered or hand cranked radio that will allow you to keep informed as to what is happening. Some come with cell phone charger.

6. A battery-powered or hand cranked flashlight.

7. A whistle to signal for help

8. Copy of your emergency plan, important documents and cash in small bills.

9. An OK or HELP sign to put in your window will allow emergency response personnel to get to you quickly.