Be Prepared

General Emergency Preparedness

• Make a list of all important contracts and telephone numbers including contact information for your family members.
• Make a neighborhood plan and directory. Identify neighbors who need additional help such as young children, senior citizens and those with disabilities. Have a plan in place to assist them during an emergency.
• Make your house easy to find. Utilize large house numbers, keep your home well lit, and shrubs
• Make sure every external door has a sturdy, well installed deadbolt lock. A Key‑in‑the‑knob locks alone are not enough.
• Be ready for an emergency before it happens by creating an emergency survival kit. Your kit should include…
• Three to five day supply of water based on one gallon per person per day.
• Food that will not spoil and requires no cooking.
• A first aid kit that includes any and all required prescription medications.
• Emergency equipment and tools. Make battery powered lights and radio a top priority.
• Personal items like toilet paper and plastic garbage bags.
• Fuel or charcoal and lighter for the outdoor grill.
• A large ice cooler!

Evacuation Plans:

• Be aware of the fact that you could become separated from your family members should a disaster strike. Agree on a nearby meeting place where family members can quickly reunite should you become separated during an emergency.
• Learn how to shut off all utilities such as gas, electricity, and water in your home.
• Make a plan for your pets. Most shelters will not accommodate them.

For Your Children:

• Teach your children to stay in touch with you. Have them check in with you when they come home from school or other activities. Have them advise you of their whereabouts at all times.
• Make sure your children know how to contact you at all times by teaching them your work phone, cell phone, and pager numbers.
• Make sure children know the address and area code and phone number where they live.
• Work with trusted neighbors to establish a safe house in your neighborhood where your children can go in an emergency.
• Explain the 9‑1‑1 telephone system to your children and teach them when it is appropriate to use it.
• Teach your children the importance of doing their part to keep their schools and communities safe by seeking help if the overhear classmates threatening to hurt themselves or others.

Be Alert

• Watch: Spot suspicious packages, luggage or mail abandoned in a crowded place like an office building, airport, school or shopping center.
• Listen: If you hear someone who has bragged or talked about plans to commit acts of violence or claims membership in a terrorist organization, notify your Sheriff=s Office immediately. All threats should be taken seriously.
• Be Prepared: Take steps to plan ahead for emergencies to protect yourself and your family.

Opening the Mail

• Look for: Unexpected package from someone you don’t know.
• Handwritten, has no return address, or bears a return address that you cannot confirm as being legitimate.
• Wires or other unusual contents that are protruding from the package or can be felt through the envelope or wrapping.
• Excessive amounts of tape or postage.
• Lopsided or lumpy in appearance.
• If you receive something suspicious call law enforcement immediately! Do Not Handle It. Stay away from it!