September 13, 2007

September is national preparedness month

Ensure your home and family are prepared for disasters, emergencies

With wildfires are raging in parts of California including a large one in our own county, do you know what to do if your home is threatened by wildfire? What about an earthquake or a flood? Does your family know where to meet if you cannot go home? Does your family a communication plan? Do you have a disaster kit in your home, in your car?

Fire smoke creates heavy air in San Jose area Two forest fires created a haze in the skies over San Jose last week. One of the fires was nearby at Henry Coe State Park, near Gilroy. The fire burned 47,760 acres, four residences and 20 outbuildings. It took about eight days to contain the fire along with 30 fire crews, 46 fire engines, three helicopters, five bulldozers and 10 water tenders. The cause was human and the cost of containing the fire was $10.2 million. Almaden resident Wilhelm Derksen took this photo from Mt. Umunhum.

A recent national survey reveals that only 7 percent of Americans have taken the recommended actions to prepare for disasters. If you’re in the remaining 93 percent, the American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter urges you to use this month as a reason to get ready for the unexpected. National Preparedness Month is a coordinated, nationwide effort sponsored each September by the Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness and encourage individuals to take action.

“There are three simple things each of us can do to be prepared: Make a plan, build a kit and get trained,” said local Red Cross CEO Barb Larson. “It is important to make our community safer and minimize the impact that disasters like fires and earthquakes and other emergencies have on our lives.”

The American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter recommends three steps to get prepared:

Get a kit
Assemble or buy a disaster supplies kit containing at least three days of provisions for each member of your household (including pets) in an easy–to–carry container, like a backpack.

It's also important to check that stock every six months and replace expired items. Ready-made disaster supply kits containing basic emergency supplies are available for purchase, range from $40 to $70, and should be adapted for each person's unique needs and circumstances.

The Red Cross also helps people build their own kits by providing a comprehensive list of necessary supplies, which is featured online at www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org. The Web site also features a downloadable checklist you can use while creating your kit.

Make a plan
Develop a family communications plan so that every family member knows how to reach each other, including an out-of-area contact and where to meet if they can't go home.

Establish responsibilities for each family member and choose two places to meet following a disaster. Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to a disaster. Families should practice their emergency plan at least twice a year. A visit to www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org will provide you with all the basic information you need to develop a plan.

Be informed
Learn what resources are available to you and what types of disasters are most likely to occur where you live, work and play. Take First Aid and CPR courses—a vital component of disaster preparedness. A full course schedule is available at www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org. The public is also invited to take a free online Red Cross introduction of disaster preparedness course at www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady.

The American Red Cross Santa Clara Valley Chapter is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization that depends on the generous contributions of time and money from Santa Clara Valley residents and companies to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions, visit www.santaclaravalley.redcross.org or call us at (408) 577-1000.