PREPARDNESS
One of the most important things you can do for your family is to make a conscious effort to
PREPARE for disasters and emergencies. Every citizen has a basic responsibility to
prepare their home, family or business to survive without assistance for the immediate
period following a disaster.
In the first few days following a disaster government agencies must prioritize their actions to
respond to only the most critical needs. Primary road clearing of debris and dangerous
downed power lines, life-threatening emergencies, needs assessment and other critical
missions will receive priority attention. Local governments do not have stockpiles of water,
food and other supplies.
IMPORTANT! Be prepared to be self sufficient for at least three days (water, food,
and other supplies). It can take at least that long for local, state and federal agencies to
provide aid to you after a major hurricane or other disaster. YOU are responsible for having
the necessary supplies, food, water and other essentials to get through the first 3-5 days
following a disaster. Disaster Preparedness begins with every citizen! Are You Ready?
How To Prepare (Materiales en español)
There are four basic steps to developing a Family Disaster Plan.
1. Find Out What Could Happen to You
- Find out what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Get information on how
to prepare for each. - Learn about your community's warning systems. Get a NOAA Weather Radio
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons if needed.
- Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or day
care center and other places where your family spends time.
2. Create a Family Disaster Plan
- Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain
the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share
responsibilities and work together as a team. - Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in
each case. - Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must
know the address and phone number.
- Ask an out-of-state friend or family member to be your "family contact." After a
disaster it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this
person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone
number. - Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete This Checklist
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 for emergency help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and
electricity) at the main switches. - Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Get training from the fire department for each family member on how to use the fire
extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept. - Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supply Kit.(pdf)
- Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each
room. - Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
- Conduct a Home Hazard Hunt Checklist (pdf). Prevent injury and damages. In a
disaster ordinary household items that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a
potential hazard.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz your kids every six months or so.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
- Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's
instructions. - Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how
the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a member
of a neighborhood organization such as a homeowners association or crime watch group
introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Contact the Emergency Management Dept.
for more information or to schedule a presentation to your group, church or civic group.
Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could
help neighbors who have special needs such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans
for child care in case parents can't get home.
If Disaster Strikes
Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
Check for Injuries
Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
Listen to Your Battery-Powered Radio/TV for News and Instructions
Citizens are responsible for how they are to receive emergency public information, and are
responsible for taking the appropriate actions to protect themselves, their families, and
others in their care once the information is received.
The Dorchester County EOC will release emergency public information as soon as possible
during emergencies, disasters, or other special situations. Citizens are encouraged to
monitor local radio and television stations for emergency public information such as school,
govt. office and road closings, and other information pertinent to the public's safety. Please
do not call 911, the Emergency Management Dept or EOC or other agencies for this type of
information. The public will receive this information from the news media. Again, do not call
911 unless you have a TRUE EMERGENCY!
Check for Damage in Your Home...
- Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect
damage. - Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak,
turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly. - Shut off any other damaged utilities. (You will need a professional to turn gas back
on.) - Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids
immediately.
Remember to...
- Confine or secure your pets.
- Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening
emergency. - Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
- Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- First aid kit and manual
- Emergency Food and Water
- Non-electric can opener
- Essential medicines
- Cash and credit cards
- Sturdy shoes
- Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in emergency shelters for health
and space reasons. - Make sure ALL family members know how to respond after a hurricane.
- Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which
radio station to tune to for emergency information. - Protect your home - Excellent sources of more information on protecting your home
and business against disaster damage are:- Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH). (FLASH enEspanol)
- Blueprint for Safety
- FEMA's "How To" Series on protecting your home from Wind, Earthquake
and Flooding - Protect your Business from disasters - see our Business Preparedness
Section - Protect Windows and Doors! Permanent shutters are the best
protection. A lower cost alternative is to use plywood panels. Use 5/8 inch
exterior-grade or marine plywood cut to fit each window or door. Include a
4 inch overlap on each side. Lag bolts should penetrate the surrounding
wall and frame at least 1 ¾ - 2 ½ inches. Remember to mark which board
fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 12 inches for screws and place 4
holes in the center for pressure equalization. Do this long before the storm.- An alternative to drilling holes to secure panels are "Plylox Clips."
PLYLOX™ window clips are an inexpensive and non-destructive
way to quickly protect windows from high winds and airborne
debris. **Note-This is NOT a commercial endorsement, presented
only as an alternative to traditional plywood panel protection
methods for brick, wood, or stucco window casings. - Taping Windows Is Not Recommended - Historically many
people have attempted to protect windows with masking or duct
tape. This method of window protection is almost completely
ineffective and provides a false sense of security. It will NOT
prevent glass breakage from wind-borne missiles. You'll just have
larger pieces of glass to dispose of and your home will STILL be
vulnerable to high winds.
- An alternative to drilling holes to secure panels are "Plylox Clips."
- Trim back dead or weak tree branches. Do this ahead of time - NOT when
a storm is coming as loose yard debris can cause damage. - Store indoors or secure any item in the yard that can become an airborne
missile. - Check Your Insurance Coverage
- Find out about Flood Insurance from your insurance agent.
Standard polices do not cover flooding from a hurricane. There is
a 30-day waiting period before new policies are effective.
Remember, your home or business CAN be flooded from torrential
tropical system rains even if you don't live in a designated
flood zone! - Be sure your policy covers Windstorm damage.
- Consider Earthquake coverage
- Do you have Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage if you
can't live in your home after a disaster, flood? - Take a Household Inventory. Download free Home Inventory
Software here. - More information at Insurance Information Institute and the SC
Insurance News Service
- Find out about Flood Insurance from your insurance agent.
- Develop a Family Emergency Communication Plan. In case family
members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real
possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at
school), have a plan for getting back together. Ask an out-of-state relative
or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier
to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name,
address, and phone number of the contact person.
More Disaster Preparedness Information, Links and Resources
READYAmerica Offers Practical Preparedness Tips For The Unexpected - Focuses
On Terrorism (en Español)Disaster Education and Preparedness Library-Tallahassee, FL Red Cross
More On Preparing For A Hurricane or Other Disaster from FEMA
See How Disasters Affect Children and Help Them Cope With Disasters
FEMA For Kids - Fun & Educational Disaster Awareness Tools. Parent & Teacher Resources Too!