With a powerful start to hurricane season, it is no wonder that September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Cleanup from Hurricane Harvey has barely gotten underway in Texas and Hurricane Irma wreaking is havoc off the coast of Florida and the Caribbean. On top of these storms along the coast, there are also horrific wild fires raging in Oregon. All of this makes us realize that it is never a bad time to think about being prepared for disasters.
Create a Plan
Talk with your family and household members about how to respond to the types of emergencies that are most likely to occur in your area. Think about earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts, fire, flood, landslides, tornadoes, terrorism, and more.
- Make plans for each circumstance
- Delegate responsibilities
- Work as a team
- Role play scenarios
Plan for Pets
- Have your pet microchipped
- Update and secure collars
- Find pet-friendly accommodations
- Keep an extra bag of food
- Make a list of emergency 24hr vets in your area
- Have a carrier and leash for each pet
Make an Emergency Kit
If you’re going to have to tough it out in your home for a few days you’re going to need an emergency preparedness kit. Here are a few items you need to make sure to have on hand. If you’re going to be evacuated, you’ll need a 3 day supply, if you’re staying at home it’s best to plan for 2 weeks.
- Water: One gallon, per person per day
- Food: Stock up on at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food. You may not have power for a few days. Grab a manual can opener for food and if you can get a gas camp stove to heat up food. And make sure to include an extra bag of pet food too.
- Batteries, including backup batteries or chargers for phones
- First aid kit
- Battery powered or hand crank radio
- Flashlights
- A loud whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks
- Garbage bags
- Photos of family and pets
Store these items in a large Tupperware or two that will be easy to access in case of an emergency. And don’t forget to rotate items out as expiration dates come and go.
If your pet is in our care during an emergency you can rest assured we will everything to make sure that they are well taken care of and returned to you safely.
