Be Prepared
By Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, D.O., M.A.

I keep seeing stories on television and in the newspaper about emergency preparedness. How important is this? What should I do?

Wherever you live, there are certain risks: earthquakes on the West Coast, severe snow in the north, tornadoes in the Midwest, and hurricanes in the southeast. Terrorism has become an additional threat.

Contemplating disaster is not pleasant, but planning for it can help your family remain safe. Local government agencies often can tell you what the likely disasters in your area are and how you can protect yourself from them.

Create a family disaster plan that takes into account whether family members are at home, work, or school. Evacuation and transportation plans should address how to exit your home in case of fire, earthquake, or other emergency and where your family will go if they need to leave home for several days. Be sure to make plans for communication - perhaps identifying a family member in another city whom everyone will call to share their location. Remember, phone lines (cell or land) may not be reliable during an emergency.

Disaster supply kits also are important. Many people keep winter equipment - a snow shovel, blanket, flare, and bucket of sand - in their cars. Home supply kits should include water, food, first aid supplies (including extra eyeglasses and medications), a flashlight, cash or traveler's checks, a change of clothes, and - most important - a battery-powered radio with extra batteries. Prepare a similar kit to grab and take with you if you need to leave home. Periodically rotate the food, medicine, batteries, and water in all of these kits.

Take into account supplies already in your home. For example, a hot water heater contains many gallons of drinking water. In the event of an emergency, turn off the main water supply to the house immediately to prevent contamination of this supply.

Don't forget pets and other animals. Emergency shelters rarely allow them, and some animals, such as horses, are not easily transported. Depending on the animal and the emergency, decide whether it is safer for it to be confined or allowed to roam. Try to ensure pets will have food and water in your absence.

Comprehensive information about family disaster planning is available online from the Federal Emergency Management Administration; the Humane Society's site has additional information about animal protection. Visit both via MOAA's links page, www.moaa.org/magazine/links.asp.