William Penn Life, 2005 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-10-01 / 10. szám
HealthPage 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, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can’t get home. ~ Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.) Prepare for High Winds-- Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut Vi-inch outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.- Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued-- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-todate storm information. — Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.-- Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above.-- Fill your car's gas tank.-- Recheck manufactured home tiedowns.-- Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued-- Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.-- Complete preparation activities.-- If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows. — Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.-- Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.-- Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground. Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over-- Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for instructions.-- If you evacuated, return home when local officials tell you it is safe to do so. — Inspect your home for damage. — Use flashlights in the dark; do not use candles. (c) Copyright, The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved. YOUR LOCAL RED CROSS CHAPTER CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ON PLANNING FOR WEATHER EMERGENCIES: • “Against the Wind: Protecting Your Home from Hurricane Wind Damage” (American Red Cross publication number ARC 5023) • “Are You Ready for a Thunderstorm?” (ARC 5009) • “Are You Ready for a Flood or Flash Flood?” (ARC 4458) • “Are You Ready for a Tornado?” (ARC 4457) • “Your Family Disaster Plan” (ARC 4466) • “Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit” (ARC 4463) THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN ARE ALSO AVAILABLE “Jason and Robin’s Awesome Hurricane Adventure” workbook (ARC 5044) and video (ARC 5044V) designed for children in grades 4-6. • “Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book” (ARC 2200) by children ages 3-10. • “Adventures of the Disaster Dudes” (ARC 5024) video and Presenter’s Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6. “After the Storm” Coloring Book (ARC 2206) (c) Copyright, The American National Red Cross. All rights reserved. William Penn Life, October 2005 7
