Emergency Plan Ideas

What items should I have in case of an Emergency? **

This section explains how you can be best prepared if a problem or sudden emergency arises and what items you should have in your home to help you get through this period. These emergencies could range from severe snow storms or flooding that causes you to remain in your home for several days to power outages or even evacuation of your home.  Pre-planning for these situations can help ease some stress and assure that family members know what to do and where to go.

Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than it is to call within the affected area). Use your telephone as little as possible. During an emergency, network lines quickly become overloaded with calls, hampering emergency communications.

When preparing a 'Grab & Go' emergency kit you should include:

• A supply of nonperishable, high energy packaged or canned food, that does not have to be cooked to be eaten, and a non-electric can opener.

• A change of clothing, rain gear, sturdy shoes, extra blankets or sleeping bags.

• A first aid kit and prescription medications.

• An extra pair of glasses, car keys and house keys.

• Battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries for each.

• Credit cards, cash & photo identification.

• A list of important family information, including a list of family physicians and the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.

• Special items for infants, elderly and family members with special needs.

• Extra supplies and special items for pets.

• Copies of important documents such as insurance coverage information and phone numbers.

• An ample supply of water. One gallon of water per day per person is recommended, however it can be hard to `grab & go' with a supply of water for a family of 5, so you may want to stock water in several different sizes of containers for use during different kinds of emergencies.

• Store these supplies in an easy to access location such as a pantry near an exterior door of your home. Keep them in easy to carry `containers' such as backpacks and small duffel bags.
  
  
• Make arrangements to have designated meeting areas, both locally and with relatives or friends who live 10 to 50 miles away in case you have to evacuate your home or if you cannot make it back to your home or community.
  

**  Special thanks to the Ridgewood Emergency Services, Office of Emergency Management for assistance in preparing this section.