Hurricane Preparedness Tips

As we enter the 2008 Hurricane Season, which experts are predicting to be very active, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is offering personal preparedness tips for the all of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

“Every family should have a basic supply kit that could be used for any emergency,” states MEMA Director Don Boyce. “Everyone should keep certain items around the house in the event of a hurricane or other severe weather. A portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and extra non-perishable food and water are all essential to help your family weather the storm.”

Every household should have a supply of canned goods and other non-perishable foods that do not need cooking, along with bottled water, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets. A manual can opener and a basic first aid kit are also essential.

“Every family should develop a ‘Family Communication Plan’ to help ensure everyone is safe. You should call your local authorities learn about potential evacuation routes and the location of emergency shelters in your community,” said Director Boyce. “It is important to familiarize yourself with your Community’s Emergency Plans before an emergency situation occurs.”

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness Month, go to www.mass.gov/mema.

(Suggested Hurricane Supply List and Family Communication Plan is attached)

HURRICANE DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

• Canned goods and nonperishable foods that do not need cooking:
  • Canned meats and fish
  • Canned fruits and vegetables
  • Canned soups and puddings
  • Canned fruit juices
  • Dried fruit and nuts
  • Bread, cookies and crackers
  • Peanut butter and jelly
  • Coffee and tea
  • Bottled water

• Manual can opener
  
• Bottled water (1 gallon per person/per day)
  
• Prescription medication (2 week supply)
  
• Pet food/supplies
  
• Water purification tablets (halazone)
  
• Disposable plates, cups, and utensils
  
• Infant care items:
  • Disposable diapers
  • Baby wipes
  • Baby food
  • Formula
    
• First aid supplies
  
• Masking and duct tape
  
• Flashlight or lantern, with extra batteries
  
• Battery operated radio, with extra batteries
  
• Watch or battery operated clock
  
• Ice chest
  
• Matches
  
• Canned heat (sterno)
  
• Portable outdoor camping stove or grill with fuel supply
  
• Plastic trash bags
  
• Plastic sheeting or drop cloth
  
• Chlorinated bleach
  
• Personal hygiene items

• Other useful items:
  • Work gloves
  • Sun lotion
  • Insect repellent
  • Hammer
  • Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Wrenches
  • Handsaw
  • Razor knife
  • Ax or chainsaw
  • Rope caulking
  • Nails and screws
  • Rope and wire
  • Broom, mop and bucket
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Ladder
  • Sandbags
  • Portable generator
  • Tree pruner
  • Shovel, rake and wheelbarrow
  • Sheets of plywood

FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN

Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan in case family members are separated from one another during an emergency (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school, camp or at a friend’s house). This plan should also address reunification after the immediate crisis passes.

• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person.  During and immediately after a disaster occurs, it is often easier to access a long distance telephone number than a local one. Also, calling outside a disaster area is usually easier than calling into the same area.
  
• Make sure everyone knows the name, address and telephone number of the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person.
  
• Designate two meeting areas for family members – one within your community (your primary location), and one outside of your community (your alternate location). Sometimes an emergency could impact your neighborhood or small section of the community, so a second location outside of your community would be more accessible to all family members.
  
• Be familiar with the Emergency Plans at your children’s school and camp, as well as your place of business.

A Family Emergency Communications Plan can help reassure everyone’s safety and minimize the stress associated with emergencies