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Emergency?
Whether it’s storm water, flood, or any kind of emergency
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Guide to Emergency Preparedness for Sacramento County
Additional Information in light of the recent fires in California
In learning about the natural disasters across our country and our state, I've compiled some fact-based recommendations on how to prepare. Thinking "inside the box" is information that may help you and your family, should you find yourselves needing to flee your homes. Most of us believe we're impervious to disaster and so far we've been lucky. However, if one of our dams breaks, rivers overflow/flooding, earthquake (or as we've witnessed) a major fire happens...initially we're on our own. I'm unaware of local guidelines in place for a disaster other than our Emergency Broadcast System. When an emergency happens, it's difficult to think clearly about what to do. To some of you, this may be old news...to others it may help you become organized. Print this out and tape it to the inside of a cupboard or closet. In most cases, communities are warned of impending disaster well in advance. Take the warnings seriously.
Prepare a "Go Bag" (a back pack or small lightweight suitcase on wheels) for each family member, and store it accessibly in the garage or extra closet. It should include the following:
Clothing - Three days worth that can be layered, underwear, waterproof boots, light weight jacket.
Personal needs - toothbrush, toothpaste, eye glasses, YOUR MEDICATIONS (one week), first aid kit with aspirin/Advil, multi purpose tool that includes a knife and can opener, T.P., shampoo, liquid soap, comb, sunscreen, beach towel.
Important papers - Photo copies of Wills, Trusts, marriage documents, bank and credit card information, photo copies of passport/driver's license, Medicare and Medical cards, immunization records for kids.
Cash - Include various small bills up to $200 (families could need more) and some rolls of quarters in case you need to use a toll booth or a vending machine.
Cell phone with portable battery.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
Lighters/box matches and one medium candle.
Radio - Small battery operated radio for emergency news.
Food - Bottled water for each person for three days. Granola bars, whole nuts, dried fruit, chocolate bars.
Pet "Go Bag" - Food, carrying crates (unless your dog is Marmaduke), water & water dish, collars with names and phone numbers, leashes, chew toys, anti anxiety medication.
Identification wrist bands - Put plastic bands with name, address, phone numbers around family members' wrists or on a neck chain for emergency identifications (including allergies) and reuniting loved ones.
Extras to keep in the garage in a (waterproof) Rubbermaid container with a lid - canned foods i.e., fruit, tuna, chicken, kippered snacks, Vienna sausages, chicken sausages, baked beans and other ready to eat beans like kidney beans or garbanzo beans, soda crackers, 7-up, graham crackers, peanut butter, unopened bags of nuts, Girl Scout cookies! Bottled coffee or tea drinks. All food items will keep for at least one year. Books (your favorites, or Swiss Family Robinson), small travel games, puzzles, cards, scratch pad and pencils that don't need to be sharpened. Plastic drop cloth, click lights with extra batteries. At the last minute you can add personal valuable heirlooms such as jewelry, family pictures, vases, valuable silverware that cannot be replaced. As awful as it is, looting happens in a disasters. Your home may be insured, but you can't replace family heirlooms.
Outdoor animals - Always have an evacuation plan in place. Have trailers available to move large animals. Never leave animals in cages, pens, locked corrals or barns. Their best chance to survive will be their instinct to run away from danger.
If you have time prior to a disaster...buy more water, bread, squeeze mayo/mustard, packaged meats and cheeses, bananas, oranges, apples or whatever perishables you normally eat. Boil at least a dozen eggs and refrigerate in the shell. Buy extra large freezer bags to keep things fresh and dry. Buy paper towels, TP and fill your gas tank ASAP. Price gouging for profit is not uncommon in disasters.
If you're in the middle of a disaster and law enforcement demands evacuation...don't be stupid! GET OUT! If the Mayor tells you you're on your own...don't blame law enforcement or anyone else for your lack of responsibility. NO RESPONDER should risk their life to save YOU once you've been warned to leave the area. Loss of life is on your shoulders.....no one else.
Here's to never having to utilize this information! And here's a heart-felt prayer going out to everyone of our families and friends who have been affected by the monstrous disasters this year!
Marva Scott
Neighborhood Watch
