Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide

John H Meyer

• Publisher: QuickStudy Reference Guides
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN:
  9781423221531
• eBook ISBN:
  9781423237259
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Global Development Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

Laminated for durability, easily stored anywhere, designed for fast access and quick answers, this 6-page guide packs in the essentials of planning and action in the face of a disaster. Protect yourself, loved ones, home, business and property by preparing for what no one expects to happen. Suggested uses:
o Planning – Keep in a central location at home or place of business for easy access and review when heading into seasons with the possibility of catastrophic storms – snow, hurricane or tornado
o Emergency Kit – add to your home or business emergency or evacuation kit, tornado shelter or safe room
o Businesses – offer this guide for free or for sale if you have a business that sells any preparation material or tools to help your customers get what they need

Preparing to Live off the Grid

Follow the three-day rule for emergency survival. Have enough supplies for at least three days—longer if possible. Shelter, Heat & Cooling

• If your home is damaged, use plywood, tarps, and plastic sheeting to safeguard the interior of your house and its contents
• If your home is uninhabitable, use tents or tarps to offer shelter from rain and sun
• Determining if a damaged home is safe to live in:
  • Wet walls or furnishings will quickly lead to hazardous mold growth
  • Buildings damaged in earthquakes can collapse from aftershocks
  • Do not enter if the house if it is separated from the foundation or if the walls are leaning
  • If in doubt, stay out
• Fireplaces can keep homes livable during cold weather
  • Stock a supply of firewood for conventional fireplaces
  • Have enough propane for gas fireplaces and cooking appliances
• Before using the fireplace, inspect the chimney for leaks and blockage; be sure the damper is open
• Kerosene, LP gas, or propane heaters can provide emergency space heating. Use with caution
• Be certain to provide adequate ventilation for any fuel-burning heat source
  • Combustion often produces dangerous gases including carbon monoxide
  • Combustion uses up oxygen. Ensure adequate incoming air supply
• In hot weather take precautions against excessive sun exposure and/or extreme heat
  • Seek shade when available. Use tarps or blankets for temporary shade
  • Shady outdoor spaces may be cooler than buildings lacking ventilation
  • Use water, if available, to wet clothing, towels, sheets, etc., for evaporative cooling

Water & Sanitation SAFE WATER

• Municipal water systems may function for several days without power
  • Elevated storage tanks maintain pressure if mains are undamaged
  • Emergency generators may be used to keep pumps running
• Individual wells or small community systems will fail if the electricity is cut
  • Plan for an adequate supply of water for drinking and sanitation
  • Chemical treatments can make contaminated water safe for drinking
• Some types of disasters are more likely to disrupt municipal water supplies
  • Earthquakes may break water mains
  • Elevated storage tanks are sturdy but have been destroyed by strong winds
  • Severe cold may cause pipes to freeze or rupture
• Distinguish between water for drinking and cooking vs. sanitation (bathing, flushing)
  • Clean drinking water may be stored in jugs or coolers
  • Each person needs one gallon per day, minimum; more in hot weather
  • Bathtubs, trash cans, and swimming pools can be used for sanitation and wash water
• How to make sure water is safe to drink
  • Unclean water can be sanitized by boiling or adding chemicals
    • Boiling is safe and reliable but requires ample fuel supply
    • Chlorine (bleach) or iodine can be used to kill germs in water
    • Swimming pool chemicals can be used to purify water in an emergency
  • Essential items to keep on hand: bleach, rubbing alcohol, and hand sanitizer
  • Water for washing doesn’t need to meet drinking-water standards
  • Worst case: Filter dirty water first with sheets or pillowcases and then sanitize it

Is Your Water Supply Vulnerable?
Municipal water system

• Elevated tanks create water pressure even if power is lost
• Windstorms can damage tanks
• Earthquakes or severe cold can break water mains

Community well

• Pump may fail if power is lost
• Earthquakes or severe cold can break water mains

Household well

• Pump won’t work without electricity
• Underground pipes may freeze
• Small household-size generator can power pump

WASTE DISPOSAL

• Prevent disease by safe removal of human waste
  • Toilets can be flushed without running water
  • Use buckets to refill toilet tanks or pour water directly in the bowl to flush
    • on’t waste scarce drinking-quality water to flush
    • Water from ditches, ponds, rivers, etc., can be used to flush

Sanitation without Running Water

Or flush by pouring water directly in bowl.

Use bucket to fill toilet tank after every flush.

Don’t use treated drinking water for sanitation. If possible, fill a trash can or bathtub as a source of water for flushing and washing. Wash with soap or alcohol hand sanitizer.

Other water sources for sanitation: swimming pool or hot tub; even a pond, river, or ditch.

• • If sewer systems not available, dig latrines to dispose of urine and feces
    • Dig a shallow pit; keep loose dirt handy to sprinkle over waste
    • Dry leaves, grass clippings, mulch, etc., can cover waste and reduce odors
    • Choose a location well away from your water supply, food, and dwelling area
    • Every few days, fill in the latrine pit and choose a new location

PERSONAL SANITATION

• Use toilet paper, wipes, and frequent hand washing to prevent disease
• Flood waters often carry disease-causing organisms. Wash and/or sanitize skin after contact

Food Supply & Storage

• Most canned foods can be eaten, if necessary, without cooking or adding water
• Choose nutrition-dense foods to supply 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day for adults
  • Special high-tech survival or wilderness foods can be useful but are not necessary
  • All your emergency food supplies can come from the supermarket
    • Beans, peanut butter, and canned meats (e.g., fish, chicken) for protein
    • Dry hot cereals, rice, and pasta for carbohydrates which supply energy and body warmth
    • Canned fruits and vegetables have a long shelf life and provide nutritional variety
• Rotate the “survival” foods each year by using and replacing them as you go
• If power is lost and unlikely to be restored within 24 hours, eat frozen and refrigerated foods first
• Don’t misinterpret sell-by dates on pack...

Table of contents

• Knowing the Lead Time
• Understanding the Odds
• Making a Disaster Plan
• Communication, Cooperation & Collaboration
• Special Needs Situations
• Update Your Housing to Safeguard Life, Health & Property
• Immediate Response
• Choosing to Stay Put or Evacuate
• Preparing to Live off the Grid
• Regionally Specific Disasters
• Disaster Aftermath Tips
• Resources: Where to Get Help & Information