Prepare in a Year

Build a communications plan

If you are separated from your loved ones when disasters strike, your first thoughts will be about your family, their location and condition. The stress of the event may make it difficult to remember even routine information, like phone numbers. We recommend that every household member have an out-of-area contact card in a wallet, purse or backpack at all times. Read more about how to create your communications plan and what to include in it.

Create an action plan that will help your family to know what to do when a disaster occurs.

Your disaster plan should include types of disasters that are likely to happen in your area and what actions to take, as well as a communication, evacuation, and reunification plan. The next step is to put your plan into action and practice what you would do in the event of a disaster. You will want to practice and maintain your plan every 6 months so that everyone in your household remembers what to do if there is an emergency.

Prep tip: fill out the family emergency plan and post on your refrigerator for easy access.

Store water appropriately

Water is a precious resource, especially following a disaster. It is recommended that you store at least two weeks’ worth of water, which is one gallon per person per day. Plastic containers with a screw cap lid are the ideal containers to use to store water. Glass bottles, old bleach bottles, and plastic milk jugs are not recommended. If you are storing tap water, the Food and Drug Administration says nothing needs to be added to it because it has already been chemically treated, but it should be rotated out every six months. It is also recommended that you consider adding a water filter to your emergency kits so that you can safely use water you find.

Prep tip: All household members should also learn how to shut off the water at the main house valve so that you don’t lose clean water. Once you find the valve, you should label it with a tag for easy identification.

Create a Grab & Go Kit

Everyone in your family should have their own go kit that they can quickly grab in case of an emergency. Your go kit should be lightweight and easy to carry. It should have enough supplies to last you at least two or three days.

Some items to include in your kit are:

• a water supply that can last two to three days
• food that that does not require refrigeration or cooking
• little to no water for consumption (high energy foods, comfort foods, and dry meats are a good choice).

Other items you might want to include: flashlight, extra batteries, battery or crank radio, whistle, toiletries, first aid kit, medications, multi-purpose tool, extra clothes, waterproof blanket, comfort items, and important documents.

Prep tip: Don’t forget, your pets need a grab and go kit too! It can include: water, their food, any medications, and leashes.

Prepare important documents

After a disaster, you may need to access to important documents. To prepare, you can scan your documents or use your cell phone’s camera to take pictures of your documents and put them on an encrypted flash drive or a password locked file.

You should make copies of:

• Property insurance papers
• Health insurance papers
• Financial papers
• Will(s)
• Power of attorney
• Estate papers

You might also consider taking pictures or videos of your valuables as documentation for insurance claims.

Other important documents may include: anything to help identify people in your home, children, and your pets, anything to help you request insurance and disaster assistance, medical documents, emergency contact information, and valuables.

Prep tip: For the physical copies of your documents, they should be stored in a safe deposit box, or a fireproof box.

Prepare yourself for two weeks

When a large disaster happens, it could take up to two weeks for resources to assist those in need. It is important to be able to take care of your household for that amount of time and prepare ahead of time.

Gather lighting supplies like flashlights, camping lanterns, light sticks, or solar lights. For cooking during the two weeks, store a camp stove, butane stove, or even a barbecue. (It is important to never use a camp stove or burn charcoal indoors because it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.) Consider adding disposable utensils, cups and plates to your kit since washing dishes might be difficult.

Having an alternate means of shelter could also be useful. Storing a tent or waterproof tarp, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, rain gear, and emergency blankets will be useful if you may not be able to sleep in your home after a major disaster. Most of the supplies needed for your kit are most likely already at home. For supplies still needed, gather things over multiple trips and slowly grow your two weeks ready kit.

Prep tip:  Most of the items you need can be bought at dollar or discount stores.

Have a fire safety plan

Be prepared for home fires! Most home fires happen because of unattended cooking, smoking indoors, fireworks, or unsafe use of woodstoves or space heaters.

Smoke alarms should be installed in and outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every level of your residence.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested monthly to ensure they’re working properly. Smoke alarms should replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms every seven, which is the end of their life spans. For more information about West Pierce Fire & Rescue’s grant-funded program, please click here. Need smoke or carbon monoxide alarms? We can help!

Flammable items should be stored in approved containers in well ventilated areas, or outdoors in metal containers.

Install ABC fire extinguishers in your home and make sure everyone in your house knows the correct method for using the fire extinguisher. Remember: If the fire is too big for you to handle, evacuate your house and call 9-1-1 from outside.

Prep tip: Practice your fire escape plan! Be sure to get the entire family involved. Click here to teach children about fire escape planning, too.

Prepare for utility safety

After a disaster, natural gas leaks can cause a fire, so turn it off following a disaster if you smell gas, hear hissing or see the meter dials spinning more rapidly. To prepare, label the natural gas valve and make sure all family members know how to shut it off.

Propane tanks are extremely flammable and it is important they are qualified by a trained professional and serviced regularly. Do not store your tanks in a building, garage or enclosure.

Electricity has the potential of igniting natural gas fires. Make sure that you know where your electricity circuit box is and how to shut off the electricity to the entire house.

Prep tip: secure a non-sparking tool near the gas shutoff off easy access. Make any wrench non-sparking by wrapping it completely in electrical tape. Remember: only a licensed professional can turn your gas back on.

Keep supplies under the bed

Keeping basic supplies that you will need in case of an emergency under your bed will make it easier to quickly grab them. Supplies to have under your bed are:

• sturdy shoes
• work gloves
• flashlight
• hard hat
• an OK / HELP card
• tape or bandages
• a whistle

Prep tip: instead of throwing away your old shoes, put them under your bed!

Learn to drop, cover and hold

During a disaster, it is natural for your flight or fight responses to kick in. However, during an earthquake it is crucial that you act quickly to protect yourself.

Practice what to do once an earthquake hits:

DROP onto your hands and knees
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand, and get under something sturdy and
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

If you are driving pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Once the shaking stops, check for injuries, and check the status of your home.

If you are in an area where a tsunami is possible, head to high ground once the shaking is over.

Shelter in place

When an agency issues a shelter in place order during an emergency, this means the public should stay indoors and not leave until it is safe to do so.

Sheltering in place may be necessary if there is a chemical, biological or a radiological threat.

Once you are directed to shelter in place, you want to go inside immediately, tightly lock all doors and windows, shut off fans and devices that circulate air through your home, listen to the media or local agencies for further instructions, and remember to thoroughly air out your home once the emergency is over.

Since you may have to shelter in place for multiple hours, ensure you have the supplies you need on hand. Be sure to see the post about how to prepare yourself for two weeks.

Go on a home hazard hunt

Take time this month to identify and fix potential hazards in your home.

• Check your water heater and make sure it is secure.
• Secure tall pieces of furniture, or furniture that can fall if it isn’t fastened safely.
• Identify heavy or breakable objects stored on shelves and consider putting them on lower shelves.
• Identify electronics that should be secured.
• Check the foundation of your home, and make sure that it is secure. If you have any questions, you can check with your local city or county office, who issues building permits, for regulations.