Safety should always be at the forefront of homeowners' and renters' minds, whether it’s for small emergencies that require a first aid kit or natural disasters that require evacuation plans.
According to the Tammy Lee, executive director of the Northwest Iowa Area American Red Cross, having a plan in place for all levels of emergency is imperative to a successful outcome.
Have an emergency kit stocked with plenty of water (one gallon per person, per day), non-perishable food, flashlight, battery powered radio, medications and medical items, tools, sanitation and personal items, copies of personal documents, an emergency cell phone with charger, emergency contact information, money, blankets and a map of the area.
Personalize the kit to meet the specific needs of the family, considering small children, seniors and pets.
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“It’s important to keep those in mind with special needs,” said Lee. “The emergency kit is unique to every family.”
Identifying what roles that everyone has in the event of an emergency is also important to ensuring that everyone works together efficiently as a team. Make a plan of where to go for different types of emergencies and also have back up locations in case something prevents access to the original location.
“It’s always good to have a back-up,” said Lee.
Communication with both family and those who are on the outside matters in keeping everyone safe.
“The No. 1 thing that we want people to think through is their communication plan,” said Lee. “If they are impacted by a disaster, who needs to have info about their safety and how will they get that information out?”
Also, don’t worry about possessions unless everyone is safe, said Lee.
“You want to make sure you are getting people out of harm’s way before being concerned about possessions.”
The American Red Cross also has a mobile application geared toward children that teaches about safety in the home.
“We still have traditional ways of educating kids in schools and educating kids on safety when they are home alone, but we are also embracing technology,” said Lee.
Monster Guard, made for Android and Apple products, focuses on how to handle, fires, floods, earthquakes and severe storms and what to do with emergency kits.
“It can also help them learn about disasters in other places in case the family moves or they have family or friends in other places,” Lee said.
Expect the unexpected, Lee said, to keep homes and families safe. Even if it’s not a specific season for a natural disaster doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
“Things can happen anytime,” said Lee. “People need to stay vigilant to the conditions.”
