Emergency Preparations – Get Ready In Advance

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General Rules of Security & Preparedness

No matter what happens, it is vital to stay prepared and have essential information ready for emergencies. If there is no power or cell phone, you will be glad you printed out this information and stored it safely. We live in a precarious time due to many events occurring in the world, and while we hope those events do happen, having some essential prep work done can help get you through whatever situation may arise.

HOME SAFETY

Weapons are the second line of defense. Outfit your home to prevent someone from gaining entry: purchase perimeter alarms, inside alarm systems, security cameras, floodlights, and secure locks. Make your house a bad home to target. Dogs or trained attack dogs are ideal.

If violence affects you directly, board up your windows and barricade your doors. Eliminate entry points. If it is an all-out armageddon type situation, board up with a 4 x 8 board using 3″ screws and whatever means necessary to minimize entry points.

INSIDE WEAPONS

Ideally, having firearms and being thoroughly trained is the optimal situation. But since not everyone can afford firearms, you should consider other weapons.

DISTANCE IS OUR FREIND

Think “distance” when considering your optimal choice of weapons. The last thing you would want to battle with when you have a home intruder is a knife or weapon that brings you close to your intruder. Since many home intruders are trained in knife defense, they can quickly disarm you and turn the gun against you. A knife is not a suitable home defense weapon. Watch some videos on what a home intruder trained in knife tactics could do if they disarm you and turn the weapon against you. You will not want a knife near a home intruder.

Distance: Rule #1: Keep your distance by choosing a home defense weapon that keeps the most distance between you and the intruder. Pick something that can be used across a long distance, like a Taser, OC spray or bean bag gun.

FOREST FIRE PREPARATION

  • Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate or make repairs.
  • Have an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property. A water pump to drain swimming pools can be put in a creek or well and sprayed on your property if you have a water source farther away from your home.
  • Create an area free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
  • Designate a room and close doors and windows. Have a portable air cleaner for smoky conditions.
  • Have a plan of evacuation and a meeting location for the family should it go south.

PREPARING FOR A TORNADO

  • IDENTIFY THE SAFE LOCATION IN YOUR HOUSE IN ADVANCE
  • Cover your head and put materials around you to protect you.
  • If you are outdoors, cover your head with your arms and cover your body with coats, blankets, or whatever you can access.

PREPARING FOR A FLOOD

  • Protect your property.
  • Move valuables to higher levels.
  • Declutter drains and gutters.
  • Install check valves.
  • Consider a sump pump with a battery.
  • See our Emergency Preparedness List or our Food Storage List
  • Have a plan in advance if you need to move to higher ground
  • Have lightweight supplies prepared in advance if you have a part of your property on the higher ground you can camp at.

FLOODING BASICS

  • Find safe shelter right away.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Six inches will knock you over; 1-foot waters moving quickly can take your car away.
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.

PREPARE FOR NUCLEAR EMERGENCY

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property from the effects of a nuclear power plant emergency:

  • Build an Emergency Supply Kit with plastic sheeting, duct tape and scissors.
  • Make a Family Emergency Plan
  • Obtain public emergency information materials from the power company operating your local nuclear power plant or emergency services office. If you live within 10 miles of the power plant, you should receive the materials yearly from the power company or your state or local government.
  • If available, sign up for emergency updates from your local emergency management agency to receive timely and specific information for your area.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EMERGENCY

If an accident at a nuclear power plant were to release radiation in your area, local authorities would activate warning sirens or another approved alert method. They also would instruct you to protect yourself through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local television and radio stations.

  • Follow the EAS instructions carefully.
  • Minimize your exposure by increasing the distance between you and the radiation source. This could be evacuation or remaining indoors to minimize exposure.
  • If you are told to evacuate, close car windows and vents; use re-circulating air.
  • If you are advised to remain indoors, turn off the air conditioner, ventilation fans, furnace and other air intakes.
  • Shield yourself by placing heavy, dense material between you and the radiation source. Go to a basement or other underground area, if possible.
  • Stay out of the incident zone. Most radiation loses its strength fairly quickly.

After a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency

The following are guidelines for the period following a nuclear power plant emergency:

  • Stay tuned to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information.
  • Public shelters are locally managed and operated in response to events.  If you have been told to evacuate or feel unsafe remaining in your home, go to a designated public shelter.  To find the nearest open shelter in your area, text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA), for example, shelter 12345.
  • Act quickly if you have come in contact with or have been exposed to hazardous radiation.
  • Follow decontamination instructions from local authorities.
  • Change your clothes and shoes; put exposed clothing in a plastic bag; seal it, and place it out of the way.
  • Seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms, such as nausea, as soon as possible.
  • Help a neighbor who may require special assistance – infants, the elderly, and people with access and functional needs may require additional assistance.
  • Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
  • Keep food in covered containers or the refrigerator.

WHEN THE ZOMBIE AND ALIENS ARRIVE

We are compiling information should the aliens arrive or the zombies get upset and create havoc.