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How To Develop A Family Disaster Plan
How To Develop A Family Disaster Plan
Release Date: June 9, 2010
Release Number: 1899-002
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
» 2010 Region II News Releases
ALBANY, N.Y. – State and Federal emergency management professionals encourage individuals and families to be ready in case there is an emergency. Every one should have a plan – know what to do and when to do it during an emergency – and have a fully-equipped emergency supply kit packed and ready-to-go.
You should be prepared to take care of yourself and family members for the first 72 hours – that’s three days – following a disaster, such as a severe storm or hurricane. An emergency preparedness kit should include food and water for each family member, a battery-powered or hand-held radio, flashlight, spare batteries, first aid kit, non-electric can opener, dry clothes, bedding, toilet paper, and garbage bags for personal sanitation. Don’t forget extra eye glasses, medications, copies of prescriptions and special products for babies, the elderly and medically fragile or disabled family members.
Other items to consider include sleeping bags or blankets, paper towels, books, puzzles and games for children and food for family pets. It’s helpful to have cash in case banks are closed and ATMs are not open. Have important insurance information and other important documents readily available.
Make an evacuation plan and learn the evacuation routes in your neighborhood. Traffic congestion is inevitable. Plan for a significantly longer travel time to reach your destination. If possible, evacuate using only one vehicle. Have a communication plan with phone numbers of family members in case people get separated. Identify a friend or family member in another town, who can be contacted during an emergency.
Store the emergency supplies in an easy-to-carry plastic storage container or duffel bag, so that you can grab it quickly and go when an emergency forces you to leave your home. Putting together an emergency kit isn’t expensive. Many of the items are probably in your home already. Any additional supplies you may need can be purchased over a period of time.
More information on emergency preparedness, including how to put together a family communication plan, can be found on FEMA’s Web site (in English and Spanish): www.Ready.gov , http://www.liston.gov/ and www.semo.state.ny.us.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 09-Jun-2010 17:00:18
How to Protect Your Home From Future Disasters
How to Protect Your Home From Future Disasters
Release Date: June 11, 2010
Release Number: 1899-009
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
Albany, N.Y. --By taking some common sense steps now, you can reduce damage to your home and property from high winds, flooding and fire, say state and federal emergency management officials.
Some steps are fairly simple and inexpensive, while others may require a professional contractor.
You can protect your home and possessions by taking the following actions:
- Make sure that you have adequate insurance, which covers damage from fires, for your home and personal property. You should also have flood insurance, which is available through approximately 85 insurance companies in more than 20,800 participating communities nationwide.
- Make an inventory of your possessions to help claim reimbursement in the event of loss or damage. Store this information in a safe deposit box or other secure location to ensure the records survive a disaster. Include photographs or videos of your home’s interior and exterior, and cars, boats and other recreational vehicles. Get professional appraisals of jewelry, collectibles, artwork or other items that may be difficult to evaluate. Make copies of receipts and canceled checks showing the cost of valuable items.
- Store vital family records and other important documents such as birth and marriage certificates, social security card, passports, wills, deeds and financial, insurance and immunization records in a safe deposit box or other safe location.
- Make certain to backup and secure computer data and information files and store them on a separate disc.
- Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the main switches or valves. Share this information with your family and/or caregivers.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home, especially near the bedrooms.
- Be sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguishers and where they are kept.
You can further reduce the risk of injury and damage by taking the next steps:
- Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
- Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
- Repair cracks in ceilings and foundations.
- Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources.
- Use straps or other restraints to secure tall cabinets, bookshelves, large appliances (especially water heater, furnace, and refrigerator), mirrors, shelves, larges picture frames to wall studs.
- Place oily rags or waste in covered metal cans and dispose of them according to regulations.
- Have a professional repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
- Have a professional clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, connectors and gas vents.
For more information and help preparing for an emergency, visit www.semo.state.ny.us andwww.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Friday, 11-Jun-2010 13:03:06
Older Citizens and People with Special Needs Must Plan In Advance for Emergencies
Older Citizens and People with Special Needs Must Plan In Advance for Emergencies
Release Date: June 9, 2010
Release Number: 1899-008
» More Information on New York Severe Storms and Flooding
» 2010 Region II News Releases
ALBANY, N.Y. - Being prepared for an emergency is everyone’s responsibility. If you are elderly or have disabilities or special needs, careful planning is essential to survive a tornado, flood, fire or other disaster.
Disasters or emergencies can strike quickly and without warning and may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.
The first step is to assess your risk, your environment, and your capabilities. Do you live in an area that regularly experiences severe weather conditions? What is the history of flooding in your neighborhood? Are there fire hazards in your home? Do you live alone? How long could you manage on your own without help? What essentials, in addition to food and water, would you need? Could you leave your home quickly if you have to? Where would you go? Do you have transportation to take you to your alternate destination? These questions provide the framework for your planning.
As you may have to leave your home and neighborhood quickly in an emergency, prepare a list of the locations of hospitals, pharmacies, shelters, as well police and fire departments in adjacent neighborhoods or near the homes of family members.
The next step is to create a support network of family, friends and caregivers whom you might depend on. Inform this network of your concerns and plans should an emergency occur. Make sure at least one person has a key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency kit and supplies. Teach network members how to use any medical equipment you may require and explain what medication you take and how often.
Your emergency kit should be readily accessible and portable. It should contain all required medications and prescriptions, eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, cell phone and flashlight batteries, copies of Medicare and Medical Insurance cards, names and phone numbers of employers, family, friends, doctors and other medical personnel. Keep some cash on hand in case you cannot get to a bank.
Talk to your physician about any special requirements you may need in an emergency. If you are on a respirator, check with your oxygen supplier about emergency plans. Maintain a two-week supply of both prescription and non-prescription medications. Wear a medical alert. If you have an electric wheelchair, get a lightweight manual back up.
Contact your local emergency management office and give them your address and phone number. Also ask your local emergency management coordinator about special assistance that may be offered in your community. Include your service animals and pets in your plans.
Keep in mind that mail may be disrupted. If you receive a pension, social security or other government benefits, arrange direct deposit to your banking account and learn the locations of your bank branches.
For more information and help preparing an emergency plan, visit www.semo.state.ny.us and www.Ready.gov
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 09-Jun-2010 17:03:13
MOLD CAN BE A DANGER AFTER FLOODING
News Release
MOLD CAN BE A DANGER AFTER FLOODING
SOMERSET, N.J. – Mold can create serious health problems for residents following the severe storms and flooding in March, warn State and Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) officials overseeing the New Jersey recovery effort.
"People are anxious to get on with their lives after a flood," said Federal Coordinating Officer William L. Vogel, FEMA’s top official for the disaster recovery, "but if you had flood waters in your home, take the time to clean thoroughly so problems don't arise later that affect your home or your health."
Officials urge residents and owners of flooded property to take action now and not wait until inspectors arrive.
"Local and state health officials have a wealth of information to share on this topic," said State Coordinating Officer Lt. Bill McDonnell of the New Jersey State Emergency Management Office. "We urge the public to take advantage of these resources."
Hazards of mold infestation
Health officials say problems from exposure can follow if mold is disturbed through cleanup procedures. Also, mold is easily transferred from one surface to another. Infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions (allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma) and the elderly appear to be at higher risks for adverse health effects from mold.
Symptoms include nose and throat irritation, wheeze, cough, asthma attacks in individuals who have asthma, and lower respiratory tract infections (in children). People with pre-existing respiratory conditions also may be susceptible to more serious lung infections. It is important to identify mold early and take steps to clean it up and prevent more mold activity.
Identifying Mold
Mold growth is a common occurrence in flood-damaged homes and damp environments. Mold can become a problem in your home if there is enough moisture available to allow mold to thrive and multiply. Dampness in basements, walls, carpets, and wood provides an environment for mold to flourish.
Microscopic organisms are found everywhere and develop easily into mold in the presence of water or dampness. Mold discoloration comes in a variety of colors from white to orange and from green to brown or black. Whatever color, it characteristically gives off a musty or earthy smell.
Cleaning Up Mold - How to Get Rid of It
Some items must be removed; others can be cleaned. Here are some tips:
• Control the moisture problem. The source of the water must be identified and corrected.
• Porous materials with extensive mold growth should be discarded (e.g., drywall, carpeting, paper, and ceiling tiles). For heirloom rugs and hardwood furniture, contact a professional cleaner. Most furniture today is made of composite materials, which must be discarded.
• Water can wick up higher than the visible water line. The best practice is to remove the wall board at least two feet above the water line. Check local building codes for specific guidance.
• Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, cooking stoves, dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machines and driers contain insulation, which may harbor mold spores without visible evidence and should be discarded.
• Heating and air conditioning filters need to be changed and the system ductwork should be inspected by a professional. Unless the system is away from the flooded area and hasn’t been operated, it may have to be replaced.
• Non-porous surfaces, including glass, ceramic, metal and plastic, may be cleaned. A combination of household bleach (which contains sodium hypochlorite) and soap or detergent may be used to wash down walls, floors and other mold- contaminated areas. Follow directions on containers and take particular note of warnings. Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and a tight-fitting face mask when working around mold.
• WARNING! Never mix chlorine liquids (bleach) and ammonia. The fumes are toxic!
• Mold growing on hard surfaces (such as wood and concrete) can be cleaned. Small areas can be scrubbed with a cleaning rag wetted with diluted detergent. Rubber gloves and a dust mask are recommended for jobs other than routine cleaning. For a large mold problem, or if you are highly sensitive to mold, an experienced professional should do the work.
• In areas where it is impractical to eliminate the moisture source, a 10 percent bleach solution can be used to keep mold growth under control. In areas that can be kept dry, bleach is not necessary, as mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. When using bleach, ensure that enough fresh air is available because bleach may cause eye, nose, or throat irritation.
• Continue to monitor the area for new mold growth and signs of moisture. This may indicate the need for further repairs or material removal.
For more information on mold or mold clean-up, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
website at http://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup.htm
Additional information can be found at the following sites: Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/mold.htm
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/mold/index.html
Receive up to the minute New Jersey disaster recovery information by following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion2
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FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.