Disaster Survival Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Each disaster has lasting effects-people are seriously injured, some are killed, and property damage runs into the billions of dollars.
If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations try to help you. But you need to be ready as well. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere. We know that disaster preparedness works. Take action now that will help protect your family, reduce the impact an emergency has on your life, and deal with the chaos if an incident occurs near you. You should be prepared to respond to severe weather or countless other disasters that could occur in your area. Being prepared for a hurricane, earthquake, or flood can significantly reduce the damage inflicted on your property. You should also be ready to be self sufficient for at least three days. This may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation. You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area-hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold or flooding. Your immediate concerns are: shelter, first aid, food, water and sanitation. Ask your local emergency management office for more information about which disasters could strike your community. They will know the risk factor of your community. You may be aware of some of them, others may surprise you. Ask for any information that might help you prepare and possibly reduce the risks you face. You also need to prepare for the possible psychological effects of being in a disaster survival situation. When under abnormal amounts of stress, people can become irritable, fatigued, hyperactive, angry and withdrawn. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to post-disaster psychological effects. Consider getting involved in local emergency preparedness and response activities by volunteering in your community. One way is to participate as a Citizen Corps community volunteer. *Train Family Members* In how to shut off gas, water and electricity: In how to protect oneself during the disaster, such as earthquake, tornado, flood, hurricane, explosions, nuclear attack etc. (get UNDER something or get something OVER you, or AWAY from it as appropriate). *Set aside supplies in an accessible location* Store shoes and a flashlight for EACH family member UNDERNEATH THEIR BED; Have at least a 72-hour supply of food and water; first aid kit and book; fire extinguisher; portable cooking equipment, fuel, can opener and matches; portable radio and spare batteries. *Inspect your home, secure furniture and appliances* Secure water heater, refrigerator, and heavy items of furniture to wall studs; check closets, shelves and cabinets and move heavy items to lower shelves; remove or isolate flammable materials. *Establish reunion points* List three or four places where you plan to go if you cannot stay in your home, such as a neighbors' or relatives' home or local schools or community centers. If you arrive home after the disaster and no one is there, this will give you some places to start. *During the disaster* · Keep calm - Do not run or panic. · Remain where you are - indoors or outdoors. · If indoors, stay indoors. Take cover under a desk, table or bench, halls or against inside walls. Stay away from glass windows or skylights. Do not use elevators. Do not run outdoors! You may be hit by falling debris or live electrical wires. · If outdoors, get away from buildings. Go to clear areas and stay away from walls, utility poles and downed wires that could cause serious injury or death. · Do not run through, or outside buildings. The greatest point of danger is just outside doorways and close to outer walls. · If you are in a car, pull to the side of the road and stop the car. DO NOT park under overpasses or overhead wires. Stay in your car. · If in a crowded place, do not rush for a doorway since other people have the same idea. Remind your family to stay close enough to comfort each other, especially children. Assign each family member a chore to do to mend the household. Talk about what happened and be sure to let your children say what they felt, how afraid and how brave they were. *After the disaster* Give first aid to anyone who is injured. Basic first aid information printed near the front of your telephone book gives excellent instructions for coping with various medical emergencies. Wear shoes in areas near fallen debris and broken glass. *If utilities are damaged * · Gas: inspect for leaky pipes - by smell only! If you smell gas, DO NOT USE CANDLES, MATCHES or other open flames! Do not operate electrical switches or appliances. Shut off main valve at the meter, open all windows and doors so that the gas can escape. Leave house and report leak to authorities. · Electricity: If damage to your electrical system is suspected (frayed wires, sparks or the smell of hot insulation), turn off system at main fuse box. · Do not switch on the gas or electricity again until someone from the power company has first checked your home. · Water: If water leaks are suspected, shut off water at the main valve. · Check neighbors for injuries or fire hazards. · Turn on battery-powered radio or car radio and listen for advisories. · Check house, roof, and chimney for damage. · Clean up debris, glass and spilled medicines, flammable liquids, bleaches and gasoline. · Check closets and cupboards, open doors cautiously. Beware of objects tumbling off shelves. · Do not use your vehicle, unless there is an emergency. Do not go sightseeing through badly damaged areas. You will only hamper the relief effort. Keep streets clear for emergency vehicles. *Emergency sanitation supplies* Portable Camp Toilet, a sturdy bucket or small trash can with a tight-fitting lid to use as an emergency toilet, with a good supply of plastic bag liners, twist ties, toilet paper and disinfectant. (Lysol). Powdered Chlorinated Lime, household disinfectant and deodorant, insecticides may be added to sewage to deodorize it and keep away insects. Zips lock Trash Bags - can be used and sealed. Large Trash Bags - a supply of extra large plastic bags makes sanitary receptacles for smaller bags. Keep in large covered metal trash cans until disposal time. Large Metal or Plastic Trash Cans - for human waste matter and garbage. Be sure they have tight fitting covers. Military Procedure - is to bury human waste matter in trenches 24" - 30" deep, and cover with a thin layer of lime. Never deposit waste or garbage on open ground. Note: If damage in the water lines is suspected, do not flush toilets. Turn off water at the main valve so polluted water does not enter your water system. *Emergency water supply* You and your family may be on your own to provide a safe and adequate water supply. Remember that typhoid fever, dysentery, and infectious hepatitis are diseases often associated with unsafe water. Don't take a chance! Under serious disaster conditions no water can be presumed safe and all drinking water should be purified. Storage of Drinking Water: Two quarts per day minimum and up to 2 gallons per day per family member. Water should be stored in carefully cleaned, non-corrosive, tightly covered containers. Other sources of liquid if your water supply is turned off: Water drained from the hot water tank, melted ice cubes, water from the toilet flush tank (not the bowl), canned fruit and vegetable juices, and liquid from other canned foods. If you must use toilet tank water, purify before using. Do not use chemically "blue" water. *How to purify water for drinking:* Strain water through clean cloth into a container to remove any sediment of floating matter. Boil vigorously for 5 - 10 minutes or - Strain water as above. Use liquid household bleach solution (Clorox). Add about 10 drops per gallon of water, mix well and let stand 30 minutes. A slight taste or smell of chlorine indicates that the water is good to drink, if not, repeat the dosage - or - use household Tincture of Iodine (2%) in the same manner as the Clorox except use about 25 - 30 drops per gallon water. *If you must evacuate* Prominently post a message indicating where you can be found. Take With You: · Disaster Survival Kit · Medicines and First Aid Kit · Radio and Batteries · Important Papers and Cash · Sleeping Bags, Extra Clothes, Eyeglasses -- Life for Success Regards, HENDRY RISJAWAN Mind Motivator & Trainer
