Family Disaster Plan

Emergency Preparedness

Contact Information (702) 759-1671 snhdpublicinformation @snhdmail.org

Family Disaster Plan

Four Steps to Safety

1: Find Out What Could Happen to You

• Anticipate man-made and natural disasters, such as hazardous waste spills and fires.
• Learn about your community's warning signals. EachCity or County government will have this information on their website.
• Ask your Veterinarian about animal care after a disaster. Pets are not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations. Visit thePets webpage for additional information. 
• Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed. Visit the Disaster Preparedness for People with Functional and/or Access Needs webpage for more information. 
• Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or day care center, and other places where your family spends time.

2: Create a Disaster Plan

• Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
• Pick two places to meet. For example:
  1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
  2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Plan alternative transportation for your children if necessary.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
• Discuss what to do if you must shelter-in-place.

3: Complete This Checklist

• Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, poison control, etc.).
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
• Train each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt (see below).
• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a disaster supply kit.
• Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
• Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
• Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.

4: Practice and Maintain Your Plan

• Review with your children every six months.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Replace stored water every six months and stored food every six months.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

Download the Pocket Guide PDF 1.47MB for more information about preparing your family for an emergency.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives.

If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity.

Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, children or pets.

Home Hazard Hunt

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards.

Evacuation

• Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Listen to your battery - powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
• Wear clothing that offers protection such as pants, long sleeve shirts and sturdy shoes.
• Take your disaster supply kit.
• Lock your home. 
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities-don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
• Make arrangements for your pets.

Emergency Supplies

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble your disaster supply kit with items you may need in an evacuation.

Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags, or covered trash containers.

Include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
• Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of glasses. 
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.

A detailed list of items to put in your disaster supply kit can be found on the Disaster Kitwebpage.

The Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar will assist you in assembling your emergency kit over a six month period. Print the calendar and purchase the suggested items in small incriments within your normal weekly shopping.

If Disaster Strikes

• Remain calm and patient - Put your plan into action.
• Check for Injuries
  • Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
• Listen to Your Battery-Powered Radio for News and Instructions
• Check for Damage in Your Home
  • Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
  • If you smell gas or suspect a leak, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly. From a safe location call 911 or Southwest Gas to report the leak. 
  • Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids immediately.
• Remember to
  • Confine or secure your pets.
  • Call your family contact - do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
  • Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
  • Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
  • Stay away from downed power lines.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Food and Water Supplies
Frequently Asked Questions

How much food and water should I store?

When preparing to shelter in your home store enough food and water for at least three days. Include a three day supply of food and water in your Go Bag if you have to evacuate your home.

The Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar will assist you in assembling your emergency kit over a six month period. Print the calendar and purchase the suggested items in small increments during your regular weekly shopping.

Food

Can food be rationed if supplies run low?

If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their usual food intake for an extended period and without any food for many days. Food, unlike water, may be rationed safely, except for children and pregnant women.

What kind of food should be stocked for an emergency?

Try to include foods that your family will enjoy and that are also high in calories and nutrition. Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, such as dried or canned foods, are best. Individuals with special diets and allergies, babies, toddlers, elderly people and nursing mothers may need special foods. Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for ill or elderly people.

Make sure you have a manual can opener and disposable utensils.

Typical foods include

·         Canned meat, such as tuna and spam, and vegetable soups

·         Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables

·         Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals

·         Peanut butter

·         Jelly

·         Hard candy and canned nuts

·         Powdered milk

·         Dried fruit

·         Dry, crisp crackers

·         Commercially packed air-dried or freeze-dried foods

·         Baby food and formula

·         Long lasting vegetables, such as turnips, potatoes, carrots, 

         apples, squash, etc.

How should emergency food supplies be stored?

·         Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in the house – not above 70º F and not below freezing.

·         Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use.

·         Wrap cookies and crackers in plastic bags and keep them in tight containers.

·         Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or air-tight cans to protect them from pests.

·         Inspect all food containers for signs of spoilage before use.

·         To protect boxed foods from pests and extend their shelf life, store the boxes in tightly closed cans or metal containers.

·         Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front.

How much food should I store?

You should store a three day supply of food.

The easiest way to develop a stockpile is to increase the amount of basic foods you normally keep in your home. Rotate your supply once or twice a year to keep it fresh.

Should I store food for my pets?

Yes. Non-perishable food for your pets should be stored. Include adequate water per day, according to the size of your pet.

Visit the Pets and Disasters webpage for more information.

How do I rotate my storage of food?

Here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods:

Use within six months:

·         Powdered milk (boxed)

·         Dried fruit (in metal container)

·         Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)

·         Potatoes

Use within one year:

·         Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups

·         Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables

·         Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)

·         Jelly

·         Hard candy, chocolate bars and canned nuts

May be stored indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions):

·         Wheat

·         Vegetable oils

·         Corn

·         Baking powder

·         Soybeans

·         Instant coffee, tea

·         Vitamin C

·         Cocoa

·         Salt

·         Noncarbonated soft drinks

·         White rice

·         Dry pasta

·         Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)

How do I cook food if the power goes out?

For emergency cooking you can use a fireplace, or a charcoal grill or camp stoveoutdoors only. You can also heat food with candle warmers, chafing dishes and fondue pots. Canned food can be eaten right out of the can. If you heat food in its can, be sure to open the can and remove the label first.

Water

How much water should I store?

Water is your most important supply during an emergency. One gallon per person, per day for drinking, food preparation and hygiene should be stored with your emergency supplies.

A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need even more. The amount of water a person needs will depend upon age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.

Can water be rationed if supplies are low?

Never ration water. If supplies run low, drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.

Try to avoid foods that are high in fat and protein, and don’t stock salty foods, since they make you thirsty. Try to eat salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content.

Does our hot climate mean I should store more water?

A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day; however, hot environments can double the amount of water required. Reduce your activity and stay as cool as possible to minimize the amount of water needed to stay hydrated.

What is the best way to store water?

If possible, purchase bottled water and keep it sealed until ready to use. You can also store water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic substances.

Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. Seal water containers tightly, label them and store in a cool, dark place. Rotate water based on expiration dates on bottles or every six months.

What can I do to improve the taste of stored or boiled water?

Stored or boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring it back and forth between two containers.

What if we run out of water?

There are hidden sources of water in your home. You can use the water in your hot-water tank, pipes, and ice cubes. As a last resort, you can use water in the reservoir tank of your toilet (not the bowl).

How to use water in your pipes: Shut water off to your house. Let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in your house at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from a faucet located at the lowest point in the house.

How to use hot-water tank water: Be sure the electricity or gas is off before draining the hot-water tank. Open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve and turning on a hot-water faucet. Do not turn on the gas or electricity when the tank is empty.

Be sure to purify water from outside natural sources before drinking it. Avoid water with floating material, an odor or dark color. You should not drink floodwater.

When should the water into the home be shut off?

If you hear reports of broken water lines or sewage leaks turn off the incoming water valve to prevent contaminating the water in your pipes and hot-water tank.

When does water need to be purified?

Water of uncertain purity should be purified before using it for drinking, food preparation or hygiene. Contaminated water can contain microorganisms that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis.

How do I purify water?

There are several ways to purify water and none of them are perfect. The best solution is to use a combination of purifying methods. Before purifying, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through layers of paper towel or clean cloth.

1.     Boiling - Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water to a rolling boil for one minute. Some water will evaporate. Let water cool before drinking. 

Boiling water will kill most microbes but will not remove other contaminants such as heavy metals, salts and most other chemicals. 

2.     Disinfection - Chlorine water purifying tablets or household liquid bleach will kill most microorganisms. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.

Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.

Should I store vitamins and other nutritional supplements?

In a crisis, it will be vital that you maintain your strength. Including vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile will help assure adequate nutrition.

Medicines: Ask your doctor to furnish prescriptions for a longer time span, if possible. Have on hand ibuprofen or Tylenol, vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Echinacea and Zinc.

Other tips for maintaining your strength include:

·         Eat at least one well-balanced meal each day.

·         Drink enough liquid to enable your body to function properly (two quarts a day)

·         Consume enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work.

PREPARE. ORGANIZE, TRAIN. VOLUNTEER.

PREPARE. ORGANIZE, TRAIN. 

VOLUNTEER.

Being personally prepared for an emergency is only part of the solution. If your neighbors and community are not prepared, neither are you. The collective group of individuals and organizations that help America prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters of all types play an important role. 

Volunteering for emergency preparedness is a great way to educate yourself, meet neighbors and prepare your community for surviving a disaster. Emergency training is a vital part of these programs. If you're looking to volunteer your time and talents to help Americans before, during and after disasters, here are some great places to start:

• American Red Cross Trains volunteers to respond to disasters and provides shelters, food, crisis counseling and recovery planning. www.redcross.org

• Community Emergency Response Teams are community members trained in basic emergency response skills. www.nvcert.org .

• Community Organizations Active in Disaster is a coalition of local organizations who coordinate and provide services after disasters. www.nvoad.org .

• Clark County ARES/RACES is composed of amateur radio operator volunteers who provide primary and secondary communication links for governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.                                                                            www.ccnvares.org . 

• Medical Reserve Corps of Southern Nevada consists of health care professionals and others committed to supporting public health initiatives.                                                              www.medicalreservecorps.gov   

• Volunteers in Police Service coordinates the interests and abilities of volunteers with the needs and resources of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the community.       (702) 828-5609    

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, 

SAY SOMETHING

The goal of reporting suspicious activity is simple: educate the public about behaviors and activities that may have connection to terrorism.

Las Vegas is home to 25 of the 40 largest hotels in the world, with 23 of them along the two-mile strip. As such Las Vegas is consistently ranked as a potential target for a terrorist incident. A terrorist incident would impact all of us. Each of us has an obligation to safeguard our community and our livelihood by:

• Being more vigilant

• Being aware of our surroundings

• Reporting anything suspicious through appropriate channels

In other words, "if you see something, ay something."

Safety Tips

Terrorist incidents usually happen without warning. Here are some safety tips:

• If your are in public, be aware of your surroundings. 

• Never leave shopping bags or luggage unattended.

• If you are in a public place, stay calm and exit as soon as it is safe to do so. 

• Do not try to rescue people in a public building. 

• If your are at home, stay alert and listen for instructions given on the radio or television. Have a plane if your are told to evacuate or shelter in your home.
  
  

• Talk to your children about the subject. Avoid stereotyping.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov .

THE FLU AND YOU

THE FLU AND YOU 

Flu is a serious and contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. In 2009-2010, a new strain of the virus called 2009 H1N1 spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years.

In the United States, flu season typically begins in the fall and ends in the spring. the type of flu people get during this season is called seasonal flu. Flu viruses spread from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze.

Protecting Yourself and Others

The CDC recommends three steps to flight the flu.

1. Get The seasonal flu vaccination each year.
2. Take simple actions to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses:

•  Cover your cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often.

3. Always practice good health habits to maintain your body's resistance to infections:

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Manage stress.
• Get enough rest and sleep.

What to Do if You have the Flu

• Stay home from work or school.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds.
• Disinfect surfaces that are commonly touched.

 
                   

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