After weeks of wildfires, smoke and emergency response across Northern Nevada, the start of National Preparedness Month comes with a little more urgency this year.
The Bug, Stallion and Hawk fires brought evacuation concerns, hazardous smoke and extensive firefighting operations to the region in August. At one point, Lyon County officials were assuring Fernley residents that the city was not immediately threatened by the Stallion Fire, which had grown to more than 22,000 acres. Northern Nevada Public Health later declared a local public health emergency because of hazardous ash and debris left by those fires.
The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada says families do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a prepackaged emergency kit to be better prepared for the next wildfire, flood, winter storm, earthquake or extended power outage.
“Getting prepared doesn’t mean buying everything at once,” said Bridget Posson, executive director of the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. “Start with what you already have, make a plan and add a few useful items as your budget allows.”
The Red Cross recommends beginning with items already around the house.
A backpack, duffel bag or plastic storage container can become an emergency kit. Flashlights, blankets, charging cables, reusable water bottles, a manual can opener, sturdy shoes, work gloves and basic hygiene products are among the supplies many families may already own.
Residents should also make copies of important documents and keep written emergency phone numbers somewhere other than their cellphones in case power, internet or cellular service is unavailable.
From there, families can add one or two items during normal shopping trips. Bottled water, nonperishable food, batteries, first aid supplies and hygiene products can be purchased gradually, while secondhand stores may provide inexpensive backpacks, blankets, rain gear and extra clothing.
The Red Cross recommends preparing two types of kits.
A “go-kit” should contain at least three days of supplies that can be grabbed quickly during an evacuation. A stay-at-home kit should contain enough food and water for about two weeks and, when possible, a month’s supply of needed medications.
Basic emergency supplies should include drinking water, nonperishable food, flashlights, first aid supplies, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, batteries, phone chargers, hygiene items, copies of important documents and emergency contact information.
Families should tailor those supplies to their own needs. Parents of young children may need diapers and formula. Pet owners should include food, medications, leashes, carriers and bowls. Anyone dependent on medical equipment should consider how that equipment will operate during an extended power outage.
Some of the most important preparation, however, costs nothing.
Families should decide where they will meet if they become separated and identify somewhere outside their immediate neighborhood where they could go during an evacuation. They should know how everyone will get there and make plans for pets before an emergency occurs.
Residents should also sign up for local emergency alerts and keep important telephone numbers written down.
The Red Cross says preparedness is especially important in Nevada, where residents can face wildfires, earthquakes, floods, winter storms, power outages and house fires.
Last year, Northern Nevada Red Cross disaster workers responded to 85 home fires and assisted 271 people. Through Sept. 1 this year, volunteers have responded to 78 home fires and helped 233 people, according to the organization.
The organization also offers free smoke alarm installations and home fire safety information to Northern Nevada residents through its Home Fire Campaign.
The free Red Cross Emergency app provides weather alerts, preparedness information, maps and information about open Red Cross shelters.
More information and emergency preparedness checklists are available at RedCross.org/prepare. Northern Nevada residents can request a free smoke alarm installation at SoundTheAlarm.org/Nevada.
Comment
Comments