Are You Ready for An Emergency?

In recognition of September as National Emergency Preparedness Month, the Will County Health Department is urging residents to make sure they’re ready in case of a natural or man-made disaster.

Particularly in light of the recent anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, residents should consider how prepared they are in the event of a major disaster near their home or workplace, according to a release issued this week by the health department.

The health department’s Emergency Preparedness and Response initiative and the Will County Emergency Management Agency recommend that residents have a plan in place to take care of themselves and their families for a minimum of three days in case of a public emergency. That includes stockpiling nonperishable food, water, battery-operated radio, critical prescription medications and documents.

For help making a disaster plan, including knowing what to do if you are instructed to “shelter in place” or evacuate your home with little or no warning, visit the Emergency Preparedness and Response pages on the Will County Health Department website, www.cdc.gov/features/beready, or www.fema.gov/plan/index.

The Romeoville Emergency Management Agency also offers the following tips for creating a household emergency plan:

• Meet with household members and discuss the dangers of possible emergency events in your community, including fire, severe weather and hazardous spills.
• Discuss how you and your family will respond to each possible emergency (e.g., flood, fire, evacuation, blackout).
• Draw a floor plan of your home and mark two escape routes from each room.
• Plan how your household would stay in contact if separated. Identify two meeting places: the first should be near your home; the second should be away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
• Learn how to turn off the water at the main valve and the electrical service at the main circuit panel. Also locate your main gas valve so that you can have the Fire Department or NICOR shut it off if necessary. (Note: If the gas is ever shut off for any reason, only a qualified professional from NICOR can turn it back on).
• Post emergency contact numbers near all telephones. (If there’s been a major disaster, use the phone only if it’s absolutely necessary. Emergency responders will need all available lines).
• Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1 to get emergency assistance.
• Choose a friend or relative that all family members will call if separated (it is often easier to call out-of-town during an emergency than within the affected area).
• Take Basic First Aid and CPR/AED Classes available through the Romeoville Fire Academy. For more information please contact the Fire Academy at 815-372-4042.
• Review property insurance policies to make sure they are current and meet your needs (type of coverage, amount of coverage, hazards covered) and also make an inventory of home possessions to help you claim reimbursement in case of loss or damage.
• Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place where you can quickly gain access to it in case of an evacuation.
• If any members of your household have disabilities or special health considerations, you may have to take additional steps to ensure their comfort and safety in an emergency.
• Make arrangements for pets.
• Keep family records (passports, birth certificates, etc.) in a water and fireproof safe.
• Be sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguishers and where they are kept.
• Make sure you have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially near bedrooms.