September is National Disaster Preparedness Month
During the month of September, the Missions Team would like to share some tips and resources from the City of Houston, the Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) to assist you in being prepared for the next disaster. Each week of September we will include information about the steps you should be taking in case of a disaster.
There are 4 steps you can take to better enable your family’s safety in case of an emergency. The first is:
MAKE AND PRACTICE YOUR FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN
Every family is unique. As you make your plan, be sure to consider everyone’s needs. Sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency.
- Make sure everyone knows important phone numbers and children know their parents’ full names.
- Keep a list of contacts by the phone and in your emergency kit. Be sure to have a charger for your mobile phone.
- Find safe areas in your home for when you need to shelter-in-place.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home and find two ways out of each room.
- Decide on a meeting place outside of your home, and one just outside of your neighborhood, in case you cannot return to your home.
- Pick a friend or family member both inside the city, and one who lives out of the Houston area for your family to contact in case they become separated.
- Make a plan about what you will do if you need to evacuate with your pets.
- Keep a copy of your family emergency plan in your supply kit or another safe, waterproof place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.
- Complete a “Family Emergency Communication Plan” card and carry in wallet (Here’s the link to card from FEMA website — https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/108887.).
Prepare your home for an emergency:
- Install safety equipment such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
- Residents of the City of Houston can request a free smoke detector (including detectors for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing) by visiting houstontx.gov/fire/getalarmed.
- Learn basic safety skills such as CPR, first aid, and use of the fire extinguishers.
- Know how and when to turn off water and electricity at the primary connections.
- Post emergency phone numbers by all home telephones. Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1 for fire, police, or an ambulance. Practice with your child so that he or she knows important phone numbers.
- Keep a list of your possessions. Keep important papers in a safe deposit box or another safe and dry location.
- Be sure to practice your plan on a regular basis so that you know what to do in an emergency. Practicing your plan also allows you to find problems with the plan in a safe environment. Then, be sure to update your plan so it’s as good as it can be if a disaster strikes.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills annually at your home and business.
- Replace stored water every three months and food every six months.
- Service and/or replace your fire extinguishers according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Test your smoke detector once a month. Replace the batteries in March and November (or as suggested by the manufacturer), and replace the smoke detector after 10 years.
- Periodically visit your meeting place and remind family members what to do during an emergency, so that everyone is familiar.
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