Be prepared for emergencies with 3 steps

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month in September, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center encourages all residents to play an active roll in preparing for emergencies.

“There are three simple things every household can do to ensure they are prepared for an emergency: know where to go, build your emergency kit, and create an emergency communications plan,” said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director.

Know Where To Go

The Health Department has worked with the County Clerk's office, townships and municipalities, as well as police and fire departments to develop a plan that would utilize local voting sites as points of distribution should the need for mass medication arise

during a public health emergency.

By utilizing the voting sites, people will go to sites close to their homes, alleviating possible traffic congestion and reducing the need to travel far. Even if you are not a registered voter, or do not participate in the election process, you will still visit a designated voting site to pick up medicine in a public health emergency. Should vaccinations be required during a public health emergency, Lake County residents may be asked to go to a high school location nearby to receive vaccinations.

Build Your Emergency Kit

Items for an emergency supply kit include:

• Water: one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

• Food: at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA all-hazards alerting weather radio plus extra batteries for both

• Local maps

• Dust masks to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal doors and windows

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• First Aid kit

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

• Prescription medication and eyeglasses

• Infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and water, identification and vaccination records, carrier or cage, medication, muzzle and leash

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Cash in small bills or traveler's checks and change

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

• Complete change of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes, jacket and other outdoor clothing

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies and bank account records in a waterproof container

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Fire extinguisher

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

• Paper and pencils

• Books, games, puzzles or other child activities

• A whistle to signal help

Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan

An emergency communications plan should include a contact whom family members can call to find other family members during an emergency. The selected contact should live far enough away that he/she would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event. Be sure the person knows he/she is the chosen contact. Make sure every household member has the contact's phone number and E-mail address. The plan should also include locations where family members can meet in the event of an emergency.

Having a pre-determined meeting place right outside your house and another outside your neighborhood will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. Special needs (elderly, mobility, sight or hearing impaired) neighbors

should be checked on prior to departure. Be sure to include pets in your emergency plans.

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit: www.alertlakecounty.com.