serenemaklong.blogspot.com
Here are some basic steps to take to prepare for heavy rains/storms:
1. Contact the local authorities to find out if your home is located in a flash-flood-prone area or landslide-prone area.
2. Learn about your community’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
3. Plan and practise a flood evacuation route with your family. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be the “family contact” in case your family is separated during a flood. Make sure everyone in your family knows the name, address, and phone number of this contact person.
4. Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
5. Inform local authorities about any special needs, ie, elderly or bedridden people, or anyone with a disability.
6. Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the flood strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuation. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
7. Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where it is and how to use it.
8. Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12” above your home’s projected flood elevation.
9. For drains, toilets, and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.
If you are under a flood watch or warning:
1. Gather the emergency supplies you previously stocked in your home and stay tuned to local radio or television station for updates.
2. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the gas valve if evacuation appears necessary.
3. Have your immunisation records handy or be aware of your last tetanus shot, in case you should receive a puncture wound or a wound becomes contaminated during or after the flood.
4. Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic soda bottles with clean water. Sanitise the sinks and tubs first by using bleach. Rinse and fill with clean water.
5. Bring outdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside or tie them down securely.
Emergency supplies you will need
You should stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period.
At a minimum, these supplies should include:
1. Several clean containers for water, large enough for a three to five day supply of water (about 22 litres for each person).
2. A three to five day supply of non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener.
3. A first aid kit and manual and prescription medicines and special medical needs.
4. A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
5. Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
6. Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach.
7. Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
8. Disposable cleaning cloths, such as “baby wipes” for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
9. Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.
10. An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
11. Rubber boots, sturdy shoes, and waterproof gloves.
12. Insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin, screens, or long-sleeved and long-legged clothing for protection from mosquitoes which may gather in pooled water remaining after the flood.
Preparing to evacuate
Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. When a flood watch is issued, you should:
1. Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and make sure the emergency kit for your car is ready.
2. If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
3. Fill your clean water containers.
4. Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.
5. Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
6. Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
If you are ordered to evacuate
You should never ignore an evacuation order. Authorities will direct you to leave if you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential path of the rising waters. If a flood warning is issued for your area or you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:
1. Take only essential items with you.
2. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
3. Disconnect appliances to prevent electrical shock when power is restored.
4. Follow the designated evacuation routes and expect heavy traffic.
5. Do not attempt to drive or walk across flooded roads.
If you are ordered not to evacuate
To get through the storm in the safest possible manner:
1. Monitor the radio or television for weather updates.
2. Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbour’s home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.
3. It is critical for you to remember to practise basic hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected: before preparing or eating food; after toilet use; after participating in flood cleanup activities; and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
Flood waters may contain faecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural and industrial by-products. Although skin contact with flood water does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is some risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with flood water.
If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to flood water, keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.
In addition, parents need to help children avoid waterborne illness. Do not allow children to play in flood water areas, wash children’s hands frequently (always before meals), and do not allow children to play with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect toys using a solution of one cup of bleach in 22 litres of water.
No comments:
Post a Comment