Cooperative Living January 2018 - 27

StayingSafe | by Thomas Kirk, Contributing Writer
Preparing for Disaster
E
very year, the U.S. is hit by many
natural disasters, including snow
and ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes
and wildfires. These types of disasters pose
a significant threat to our communities
and homes. The most important step you
can take to keep you and your family safe
is to prepare beforehand, but knowing
what to do during and after the event is
crucial as well.
Before disaster strikes, familiarize
yourself with the types of disasters that
are common in your region, especially
if you're new to the area. Many of the
specifics depend on what type of disaster
you're expecting, but there are several
general guidelines to keep in mind as
you prepare:
* Water: You will need one gallon per
person per day. If you assume your
family of four may be stranded for a
week, store a minimum of 28 gallons.
* Food: Stock up on non-perishable or
long-shelf-life items, such as potted meat,
tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut
butter, jelly and condensed soups.
* First-aid kit: Make sure your kit
includes adhesive bandages (assorted
sizes), antiseptic wipes, aspirin,
hydrocortisone ointment, scissors and a
thermometer. For a full list of suggested
items, visit www.redcross.org.
* Flashlights and candles: Be sure to keep
extra batteries and matches (in a
waterproof container) on hand.
For additional guidance on emergency
items to keep around the house,
visit www.ready.gov/build-a-kit. Also
consider training offered by local
emergency-management services such
as Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT) classes.
Some disasters occur suddenly, but
many bring advance warnings, like
hurricanes and winter storms. Pay special
attention during the week leading up to
the event for local and state government
warnings and evacuation notices. Make
sure every family member knows what
your emergency plan is: staying or leaving,
safe rooms in the house, where supplies
www.co-opliving.com
are located, what to do if anyone is
separated, and how to notify loved
ones that you're safe after the event.
It's also a good idea to know where your
home's main water and gas shutoff valves
are located.
While the U.S. electric grid is reliable,
it is possible to lose power during a storm.
The outage could be momentary or last
hours or even days. If you live in an area
where loss of power after a storm could
be dangerous, consider purchasing a
backup generator for your home. These
can cost anywhere from a few hundred
to a few thousand dollars, depending
on your needs. Be sure to test the
generator before the disaster to ensure
it's operating properly.
If you don't have a backup generator
and lose power, don't panic. Most power
outages in the U.S. are short and will not
last more than a few hours. However,
without knowing in advance how long the
outage will last, it's wise to assume and act
as though it will last for days. Here are a
few general tips for wise energy practices
during a disaster:
* Consume perishable and refrigerated
foods first before they spoil.
* Pack frozen foods close together and
consider freezing water bottles to
eliminate any air pockets. The
frozen water will help keep the food
cooler longer.
* Make sure you have alternative lighting
sources, like candles and flashlights
(with spare batteries), located
throughout the home.
* Keep manual tools such as a can opener
on hand to replace any electronic
gadgets you typically use.
* Similar to filling a bathtub with water
before a storm, make sure that all
cellphones are fully charged.
* If the disaster involves lightning, unplug
all electronic devices to protect against a
power surge.
After the storm, be cautious when
leaving your home. Listen to government
warnings and use common sense when
approaching any damaged buildings or
fallen trees. If you see a power line that is
down, always assume the wires are live
and dangerous. If possible, call your local
electric cooperative to report the downed
power line.
With a little bit of forethought, you're
highly likely to make it through a disaster
without too many problems. Remember,
you and your family's safety should always
come first.
For more information on disaster
preparedness, visit www.ready.gov. 
Thomas Kirk is an associate analyst of distributed
energy resources for the Arlington, Virginia-based
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's
Business & Technology Strategies division.
January 2018 | Cooperative Living | 25
The most important step you can take to keep you and your family safe is to prepare beforehand.

http://www.redcross.org http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit http://www.ready.gov http://www.co-opliving.com

Cooperative Living January 2018

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