Hugh Weekes

As we enter the hurricane season once again, it is time for us to remember some very important and timely tips on planning for an emergency.

There are many types of emergencies; the success of our plan will depend on the one we are dealing with. Here is a short list of them and their aftermath: -

• Earthquakes:- Liquefaction, and chained hazards

• Hurricanes:- Wind, rain, coastal flooding, fresh water flooding, storm surge

• Floods:- Water damage, loss of livestock and domestic animals.

• Landslides:- Blocked roadways, loss of property and life.

• Avalanches:- Blocked roadways, loss of property and life.

• Tornadoes:- Destruction of homes, and property, wind, flying debris.

• Tsunamis:- Coastal flooding, land erosion.

• Volcanic Eruptions:- Destruction of homes, falling ash, loss of property and live stock.

All of the above can cause us to be without our regular supply of water, electricity, Communication, and Transport.

Planning to stay at home: First on our plan should be how we (the size of our dependants) are to manage for a minimum of Seven days on our emergency supply.

As you develop your Plan: All members of the family must be involved, and be familiar with it. Each member should be assigned a task they can reasonably be relied upon to handle. Once the details are worked out, at least two dry runs should take place before it is expected to be put into effect. Contingency plans should be made for those who may not be at home when the emergency hits. Bear in mind in an emergency, Human life is more important than material things.

These are important:

• Establish where possible, a time frame when the emergency plan should go into effect, and who should be giving the instructions if the assigned person is not available.

• Make it a habit to place emergency items in a familiar location, where everyone would be expected to find them quickly, e.g. matches, emergency lighting, keys, cutlass, etc.

• Make it a habit to keep all major passage ways clear at all times, especially to exits.

• Compile a list of emergency numbers, and locate it in an accessible place, e.g. Police, Fire, Ambulance, Telephone Co., Electricity Co., Doctor, Plumber, Electrician, a reliable friend or close relative living near by. Build on, or update this list as often as conditions warrant.

Reliable Information: Develop a habit of getting reliable information from a dependable source, i.e. Radio, Television. During an emergency stay updated. It would be wise to obtain a battery-operated radio, and keep extra batteries available. Listen to and act on advisories.

Water Storage: set aside 12-15 gallons per person per day. If we do not have containers that will guarantee safe potable water, i.e. for cooking, use smaller containers that will keep our cooking water separate from the rest. It would be a good habit to keep some bleach handy, if drinking water becomes suspect 16 drops of bleach to a gallon of water would sanitize it again, OR YOU CAN BOIL IT. However, if you have any doubts of the source of the contamination, DO NOT DRINK,Boiling or bleaching will not destroy pesticides, or insecticides.

Emergency Lighting: Can include one or more of the following: - Matches, Flint Lighter, [stored in a water tight container] Oil lamp, Candles, Gas lamp, Battery powered lights, [For dry cell make sure you have back-up in a safe place.]

Food: Plan properly for your needs, and those of your dependants. Set aside canned foods, [ensure there are no dents, or the can is not squeezed] dry ready to use non-perishable foods, biscuits, nuts, cereal, milk, etc. and any other food or drink beverage for your needs. Remember persons with small children need to plan properly for their needs. If you are planning on cooking some of the time, for persons with electric stoves, put in place a stand by gas stove and tank, or a coal pot and some coals. [To be kept in a dry place].

Clothes: Place some dry clothes in a plastic bag that will ensure they would not get wet. If your family is large, or you have small children, put each person’s items in a separate bag. Bag bed linens, toiletries and towels by themselves.

Important papers: Place important papers in a plastic bag where the contents would not get wet or soiled.

First Aid: Select first aid items that would be absolutely necessary for your needs. If you have persons on medication make sure to pack those with an extra supply. If you have a sick or elderly person who you cannot handle, and need medical attention on a regularly basis or you need assistance with, contact some one you can rely on ahead of time where possible. This could also mean your Doctor, [if time allows].

Pets: Secure your pets against rising water; thunder and lighting disturb some animals. Depending on what it is you may want to bring it into the house, if this cannot be done, then properly take care of them. If you are not sure what you should do, please see a veterinarian.

Secure house: You need to properly secure your home. During a hurricane the windows should be secured. This could mean boarded up, especially on the windward side not only against wind, but flying objects, Make sure all roofing materials are properly fastened. Take steps to leave the yard in safe manner, items not properly secured will be blown about in a storm. Once winds begin blowing with intensity, one or two windows on the leeward side should be opened to allow for equalising of pressure in the house, however, this must be monitored by an adult.

It is always advisable to get insurance for your home and its contents once you can afford it. Rebuilding and or replacing are always costly, so count the cost carefully.

Try as far as possible to avoid: -

• Going to the grocery just before the emergency. [in case of a hurricane]

• Leaving home once the emergency hits, unless it is absolutely necessary, especially at nights. There is the danger of fallen trees, or electrical power lines.

• Children playing in floodwaters. Apart from bumping into objects they cannot see, there is the bigger danger contaminated polluted waters that can cause a variety of skin diseases, even death.

• Going on the roof during a storm.

Make sure that:

• You fill your vehicle with fuel {where possible}

• You monitor what is happening during the emergency should things go differently to what is expected, a storm in the night could be far different to one in the day where visibility is better.

• You plan for an emergency ahead of time, and everyone is aware of what they have to do.

• Have some extra cash on hand.

• Remove your T.V. Antenna.

• Remove any trees that could be threatening your home.

• Turn off electricity, Gas, and Water supply.

• Select a safe/strong room where everyone can be secure in.

• You keep a check on medication, and update as required

This list is not exhaustive; feel free to add to this list what you think is necessary in your particular situation. But please, make a plan, and help others to make one.

May God Bless you.

Hugh Weekes.