Be Prepared for Disasters - Shelter

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

In this period of sheltering at home, many of us have extra time on our hands.  This is the perfect time to organize a family emergency plan if we haven’t already done so.  According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), these are the first 4 steps that need to be addressed:

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?

In last week’s blog, we covered Wireless Emergency Alerts.  Click here for that blog in case you missed it: https://www.SERVPROnorthmorriscounty.com/blog#207704. 

Today we will cover the shelter plan. Here are the basics:

Stay at Home .  During the current pandemic, we are being advised to stay at home to reduce transmission of the virus and flatten the curve of serious illnesses that could all at once inundate our healthcare system.  Stay at home means to remain in our home or on our outside spaces like decks, patios, and in our yards.  If we decide to take walks, ride bikes or venture out into the community for an essential reason, we must practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from others. 

Mass Care.  This typically includes Red Cross and other community shelters that are opened during weather-related disasters.  If you need assistance finding a shelter in your area, go here:  https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ and bookmark it on your phone or ipad for quick reference.

Sheltering in Place.  This can happen anywhere:  your home, your office, your school.  You get the idea.  Click here for specific instructions on how to seal your space in case of an air quality disaster:  https://www.ready.gov/shelter

Having the necessary information and emergency kit ready and available before a disaster occurs is the key to a low stress plan.  You can access all of this information and more here:  https://www.ready.gov/plan

Be ready, and be well!