Education » Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

Have you made preparations to protect your home and family members in the event of an emergency, such as a natural disaster?

Don’t overlook the importance of having a Family Emergency Plan and Basic Ready Kit at your disposal.

The key components of a Family Emergency Plan include:

• Contact information for all family members. (Don’t rely on your mobile phone to retrieve this info, since it could be lost or damaged in an emergency.)

• Each family member’s medical information.

• Each family member’s schedule during the week. (After school, work activities, etc.)

• A pre-determined place to meet in the event you lose contact.

Some essentials to store away in your Basic Ready Kit include:

• One gallon of drinking water per person per day (for at least 3 days).

• Non-perishable foods (and a can opener) for that many days as well.

• A radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.

• A first aid kit and a whistle to signal for help.

• Plastic sheeting or tarps, as well as duct tape, for shelter repairs.

• Garbage bags and plastic bags.

• Tools, or at least a wrench and pliers.

• Local maps (again, don’t count on phones or computers being operational).

• A face mask, wet wipes and hand sanitizer, especially during COVID pandemic.

More information on emergency preparedness is available online through the Ready Georgia initiative [https://www.ready.gov/georgia or https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia.]