Would you know what to do in the case of an emergency? Most of us have never suffered the results of a disaster like Katrina, Thailand or Japan. Many of us though, have been inconvenienced by the loss of electricity or a snow storm that kept us from leaving our home. What about an earthquake, fire or flood? Are you prepared? The following test is a good indicator as to your preparedness:
1. Has your family rehearsed fire escape routes from your home? YES – NO
2. Does your family know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake? YES – NO
3. Do you have heavy objects hanging over beds that can fall during an earthquake? YES – NO
4. Do you have access to an operational flashlight in every occupied bedroom? YES – NO
(Candles are not recommended unless you are sure there is no gas leak)
5. Do you keep shoes near your bed to protect your feet against broken glass? YES – NO
6. If a water line was ruptured during an earthquake, do you know how to shut off the main water line to your house? YES – NO
7. Can this water valve be turned off by hand without the use of a tool? YES – NO
Do you have a tool if one is needed? YES – NO
8. Do you know where the main gas shut-off valve to your house is located? YES – NO
9. If you smell gas, do you know how and would you be able to shut off this valve? YES – NO
10. Gas valves usually cannot be turned off by hand. Is there a tool near your valve? YES – NO
11. Would you be able to safely restart your furnace when gas is safely available? YES – NO
12. Do you have working smoke alarms in the proper places to warn you of fire? YES – NO
13. In case of a minor fire, do you have a fire extinguisher that you know how to use? YES – NO
14. Do you have duplicate keys, copies of important insurance papers and documents stored in or outside your home? YES – NO
15. Do you have a functional emergency radio to receive emergency information? YES – NO
16. If your family had to evacuate your home, have you identified a meeting place? YES – NO
IF AN EMERGENCY LASTED FOR THREE DAYS (72 HOURS) BEFORE HELP WAS AVAILABLE
TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY………………………………..
17. Would you have sufficient food? YES – NO
18. Would you have the means to cook food without gas and electricity? YES – NO
19. Would you have sufficient water for drinking, cooking, and sanitary needs? YES – NO
20. Do you have access to a 72 hour evacuation kit? YES – NO
21. Would you be able to carry or transport these kits? YES – NO
22. Have you established an out-of-state contact? YES – NO
23. Do you have a first aid kit in your home and in each car? YES – NO
24. Do you have work gloves and some tools for minor rescue and clean up? YES – NO
25. Do you have emergency cash on hand? (In an emergency banks/ATMs are closed) YES – NO
26. Without electricity and gas do you have a way to heat at least part of your house? YES – NO
27. If you need medications, do you have a month’s supply on hand? YES – NO
28. Do you have a plan for toilet facilities if there is an extended water shortage? YES – NO
29. Do you have a supply of food, clothing, and fuel where appropriate? For 6 months or 1 year? YES – NO
If you answered NO to any of the questions, it is suggested that you prepare your home and family in the event of any type of emergency. It is better to be prepared and never need it, than to find yourself in a situation unprepared and helpless.
Thank you to Kenneth Moravec for the preparedness test. Please visit abysmal.com for the LDS Preparedness Manual that contains more valuable information.
http://www.abysmal.com/LDS/Preparedness/Preparedness.pdf
