PREPAREDNESS IS NOT FEAR — IT IS WISDOM!
(Original Source Unknown)
Call it climate change, call it global warming, call it whatever you want.
The name doesn't matter. The reality does.
These storms are happening more often, and we'd better start acting like they're not a once-in-a-lifetime event anymore.
FACTS BREAKDOWN
1. Those old trees have got to go. I hate saying it because those giant trees are beautiful. But a lot of them are 50, 75, even 100 years old. Many are hollow inside, diseased, or structurally weak. The next big storm doesn't care how pretty that tree is. If you remove one, replace it with a smaller species that won't become tomorrow's insurance claim.
2. Stop depending on ComEd as your only plan. Power outages aren't an "if" anymore, they're a "when." A generator, battery backup, portable power station, or even a way to keep your phones charged can make a huge difference after a storm.
3. Build a survival kit before you need one. Have bottled water, canned food, flashlights, batteries, medications, pet supplies, and a first aid kit. Don't wait until Walmart looks like Black Friday to start shopping.
4. Have a family plan. Know where everyone is going if a tornado warning is issued. Decide on a safe room, know how you'll contact each other if cell service goes down, and make sure your kids know the plan too.
5. Pay attention to the weather. Don't be the person saying, "I didn't know." Turn on emergency alerts. Download a reliable weather app. When the National Weather Service says take cover, that is not the time to stand on your porch recording a Facebook Live.
6. Check your insurance NOW. Not after the tree is in your living room. Make sure you know what your homeowner's policy covers, what your deductible is, and whether you're protected against storm damage.
7. Get to know your neighbors. After every disaster, the first responders are usually the people living next door. Check on the elderly, help each other clear debris, and share resources when you can.
POWER OUTAGES
Flashlights & lanterns
Batteries & power banks
Portable power stations
Generators & GENERATOR SAFETY
Backup power for medical devices
EXTREME COLD & WINTER OUTAGES
Emergency heating options
Heavy blankets & sleeping bags
Layered winter clothing
Frozen-pipe prevention
Carbon monoxide detectors & safety
EMERGENCY WATER
Drinking-water storage
Water filtration & purification
Water for cooking & sanitation
Know HOW MUCH WATER your household actually needs!
EMERGENCY FOOD
Shelf-stable foods
Canned foods + manual can opener
Foods requiring little/no cooking
Special supplies for babies, seniors & special diets
Learn how to rotate emergency food before it expires!
MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS
First-aid kits
Necessary medications
Medication & emergency-information lists
Plans for refrigerated medications
Backup power for electrically powered medical equipment
HOME EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Fire extinguishers
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Flood & sump-pump backup plans
Emergency lighting
Learn basic utility shutoff & electrical safety
WINTER CAR EMERGENCY KITS
Blankets
Flashlights
Phone chargers/power banks
Water
Emergency snacks
First-aid supplies
Small shovel + ice scraper
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
Battery/crank weather radios
Emergency weather alerts
Printed emergency-contact lists
Family communication plans
Know where to get reliable information if CELL SERVICE OR INTERNET GOES DOWN!
DON’T FORGET OUR MOST VULNERABLE!
Seniors
People living alone
People with disabilities
Medically vulnerable members
PREPAREDNESS IS NOT PANIC.
IT IS WISDOM.
IT IS CARING FOR PEOPLE.
IT IS STEWARDSHIP.
AND IT IS COMMUNITY!
(Original Source Unknown)
Call it climate change, call it global warming, call it whatever you want.
The name doesn't matter. The reality does.
These storms are happening more often, and we'd better start acting like they're not a once-in-a-lifetime event anymore.
FACTS BREAKDOWN
1. Those old trees have got to go. I hate saying it because those giant trees are beautiful. But a lot of them are 50, 75, even 100 years old. Many are hollow inside, diseased, or structurally weak. The next big storm doesn't care how pretty that tree is. If you remove one, replace it with a smaller species that won't become tomorrow's insurance claim.
2. Stop depending on ComEd as your only plan. Power outages aren't an "if" anymore, they're a "when." A generator, battery backup, portable power station, or even a way to keep your phones charged can make a huge difference after a storm.
3. Build a survival kit before you need one. Have bottled water, canned food, flashlights, batteries, medications, pet supplies, and a first aid kit. Don't wait until Walmart looks like Black Friday to start shopping.
4. Have a family plan. Know where everyone is going if a tornado warning is issued. Decide on a safe room, know how you'll contact each other if cell service goes down, and make sure your kids know the plan too.
5. Pay attention to the weather. Don't be the person saying, "I didn't know." Turn on emergency alerts. Download a reliable weather app. When the National Weather Service says take cover, that is not the time to stand on your porch recording a Facebook Live.
6. Check your insurance NOW. Not after the tree is in your living room. Make sure you know what your homeowner's policy covers, what your deductible is, and whether you're protected against storm damage.
7. Get to know your neighbors. After every disaster, the first responders are usually the people living next door. Check on the elderly, help each other clear debris, and share resources when you can.
POWER OUTAGES
Flashlights & lanterns
Batteries & power banks
Portable power stations
Generators & GENERATOR SAFETY
Backup power for medical devices
EXTREME COLD & WINTER OUTAGES
Emergency heating options
Heavy blankets & sleeping bags
Layered winter clothing
Frozen-pipe prevention
Carbon monoxide detectors & safety
EMERGENCY WATER
Drinking-water storage
Water filtration & purification
Water for cooking & sanitation
Know HOW MUCH WATER your household actually needs!
EMERGENCY FOOD
Shelf-stable foods
Canned foods + manual can opener
Foods requiring little/no cooking
Special supplies for babies, seniors & special diets
Learn how to rotate emergency food before it expires!
MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS
First-aid kits
Necessary medications
Medication & emergency-information lists
Plans for refrigerated medications
Backup power for electrically powered medical equipment
HOME EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Fire extinguishers
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Flood & sump-pump backup plans
Emergency lighting
Learn basic utility shutoff & electrical safety
WINTER CAR EMERGENCY KITS
Blankets
Flashlights
Phone chargers/power banks
Water
Emergency snacks
First-aid supplies
Small shovel + ice scraper
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION
Battery/crank weather radios
Emergency weather alerts
Printed emergency-contact lists
Family communication plans
Know where to get reliable information if CELL SERVICE OR INTERNET GOES DOWN!
DON’T FORGET OUR MOST VULNERABLE!
Seniors
People living alone
People with disabilities
Medically vulnerable members
PREPAREDNESS IS NOT PANIC.
IT IS WISDOM.
IT IS CARING FOR PEOPLE.
IT IS STEWARDSHIP.
AND IT IS COMMUNITY!