Prepare now: Be ready when disaster strikes

Emergencies. By their very nature, emergencies don’t come with a lot of warning. Although some disasters can be seasonal concerns, fires, floods, earthquakes, power outages, cold snaps and wind storms invariably catch many folks off guard.

Today we want to discuss ways to prepare yourself, your family, your key documents and your home for disaster. However, before getting into the nitty gritty of it, we think you should take a look at your calendar to see if you might be able to attend one of the Grays Harbor County Public Health Department’s scheduled seminars on emergency preparedness.

The events are set for 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at various Timberland libraries. (For more information, contact Grays Harbor County Public Health Department at (360) 532-8631.) Here is the schedule from March through November.

Aberdeen Library

121 E. Market St.

• May 14

• Aug. 13

• Nov. 5

Hoquiam Library

420 7th St.

• April 9

• July 9

• Oct. 8

Montesano Library

125 S. Main St.

• April 2

• July 2

• Oct. 1

Elma Library

119 N. 1st Street

• April 30,

• July 30

• Oct. 29

McCleary Library

121 S. 4th St.

• May 7

• Aug. 6

• Nov. 5

Oakville Library

204 E. Main Ln.

• April 16

• July 16

• Oct. 15

Amanda Park Library

6118 US Highway 101

• April 23

• July 23

• Oct. 22

Westport Library

101 Harms Dr.

• May 21

• Aug. 20

• Nov. 19

Build an Emergency Kit

No one can be totally prepared for every possible disaster scenario, but don’t let that stop you from putting together an emergency preparedness kit. It could be the difference between life and death or at least provide comfort and care in the event of a disaster.

You can get out your credit card and go online to buy emergency kits that range from $40 to $700, or more. Or, you can begin to gather items yourself. Keep reading for a suggested list to get you started.

Where should we keep it?

Once you have things gathered up, we suggest placing them in a bucket, backpack or plastic tote. The idea is to have everything in one or two easy-to-grab containers.

Most people keep the kit in the hall closet, garage or basement. But another great place is your car’s trunk. If your car is usually with you, that means that even if you are on vacation, visiting grandma, shopping, or at work, you have the items you need with you.

Perhaps the best of both worlds is to have a smaller kit for your car as well as a larger one at your home.

What should go in your disaster kit?

• Water (a gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.)

• Food (several-day supply of non-perishable food) Make sure to include something that you like.

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio

• Flashlight

• Extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Dust mask, 10’ x 12’ plastic tarp with grommets, 50’ rope and duct tape to shelter in place if needed.

• Moist towelettes, toilet paper, garbage bags with plastic ties for personal sanitation.

• Properly sized wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Can opener and/or Swiss Army knife

• Cell phone with charger and backup battery

• Prescription medications

• Personal hygiene items

• Cash in small denominations

• Sweats, or change of clothes

• Fire extinguishers and/or fire blanket.

• Bucket

Other items to consider 

Depending on who is in your family and your specific needs, you may want to include:

• Spare glasses and contact lens solution

• Pet food and extra water

• Feminine supplies

• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes

• Non-prescriptions medicine used frequently including pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid or laxatives.

• Paper and pen

• Chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, plastic utensils

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.

• Consider including a deck of cards, book, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Now what?

After putting together a kit, it’s important to maintain it, so it’s ready when needed.

Check your items every two to three months and replace expired items as needed. And re-think your family’s needs – kids grow, pets come and go, prescriptions change – update food, water and other key items as needed.

It takes a village!

We’d hazard to guess that there are more folks in Grays Harbor than in most communities who have basic survival skills. And we know that Grays Harbor folks are a bit more generous and caring. When it comes to emergencies, it’s important that we all know our neighbors and what their needs and skills are.

In a disaster, neighbors helping neighbors is key. Typically, there is not enough resources and personnel to have “rescuers” reach all those in need quickly.

So, it’s good to know who near you has mobility issues, lives alone, depends on oxygen, is insulin- dependent or even has many young children.

It’s also good to know who is handy with a chainsaw, has first-aid training, owns a generator, a wood-burning stove or even a propane cook stove.

It’s not only the biggest and strongest who have skills to bring to the table. In an emergency, a comforting presence, large house to welcome others, and the ability to watch small children or make a big pot of soup are also key skills.