PreParing foran emergency:The SmarT Thing To Do

Twice each yearWhen you change your clocksyou should also:

To help prevent the spread of disease and illness:Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing or sneeze into your elbowWash hands often, especially when handling food, andafter coughing, sneezing or using the bathroomStay home when you are sick

Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsCheck the pressure gauge on your fire extinguishersPractice getting out of your home quickly with your familyUpdate your Grab BagUse and replace any food in your kit that will expire soon

PreParing foran emergency:The SmarT Thing To Do

Safe drinking water in an emergencyIf your water comes from a city or town system, obey “boil water” orders from officials. Heat water to a rolling boil for 2minutes. Do not use water from a well that has been submersed in flood water. Check with officials about testing for wellwater contamination. Never use flood water for any purpose because it could be contaminated.

This brochure can help you to plan to keepyour family safe in an emergency. It will helpyou to:

• Make an emergency kit• Make a family communications plan• Make a family evacuation plan• Make a plan for people with

in-home care needs

This brochure was designedand produced by the CommunityHealth Institute in cooperation withNew Hampshire Department ofHealth and Human Services, NewHampshire Department of Safety,and Capital Area Public HealthNetwork. For more informationabout emergency preparedness,visit the following websites:

www.ready.govwww.fema.govwww.cdc.govwww.redcross.orgwww.nhoem.state.nh.uswww.dhhs.nh.gov

If you think about it, you takeprecautions every day, not justwhen a snowstorm is coming. Forinstance, you wear your seat beltin the car just in case you are in anaccident. You make your childrenwear helmets when they ride theirbicycles. You double check youriron to make sure it is unplugged.

Preparing for emergencies is notnew. Your grandparents probablyhad extra supplies in their home:soap and shampoo in bathroomclosets, onions and potatoesstored in the basement, andcanned goods on pantry shelves.They understood the value andwisdom of having a little extra onhand for emergencies.

All states have disasters, evenNew Hampshire. We have icestorms, tornadoes, floods, andpower outages. It is smart toprepare for the unexpected.

Governor

Why Prepare?

This brochure has been printed with funds from the State of New Hampshireand managed by the Portsmouth Area Emergency Planning Team whichincludes Greenland, New Castle, Newington, North Hampton, Portsmouth,and Rye. For more information please contact:

Portsmouth Regional Hospital 436-5110Portsmouth Fire Dept: 427-1515 New Castle Fire Dept: 436-1132Rye Fire Dept: 964-6411 North Hampton Fire Dept: 964-5500Greenland Town Office: 431-7111 Newington Fire Dept: 436-9441

Portsmouth Fire Department170 Court StreetPortsmouth NH 03801

Step 1: Make Your Emergency KitMaking a kit is easier than you think. In fact, you can start with the basics and add on over time. The checklist below gives ideas on what might go into a kit from themost basic to the most complete. Use this list to choose the things that best meet your own needs.

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Your CarIf you have a car, keep your gas tank filled abovehalfway. In an emergency you may not be able to getfuel. Other items to have in your car include:

Bottled waterFood (granola/energy bars)First aid kitWhite distress flagFlashlight & extra batteriesFlares/light sticksBlanket or sleeping bagEmergency reflective blanketJumper cablesTire jack and spare tireFix-a-flatShovelMaps

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Water: at least 1 gallon, per person, per dayCanned or dried fruits, vegetables and soupsCanned or dried meat and seafoodBeverages: instant coffee, canned juiceRice, pasta, cereal, crackersPowdered or canned milkBaby food and formulaComfort foods; snacks, sweetsOther foods: peanut butter, cooking oil, salt, nuts

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Other needed items:Personal care products (for example:feminine hygiene products, diapers)

Pet needs:Food, water and medications

Your In-Home KitTo be MORE prepared, add supplies to last 7–10 days. How can you build your 7- to 10-day supply? Buy afew extra supplies each month until you have enough to last for at least 7 extra days. Buy foods that needno refrigeration and little or no cooking. Try:

Extra Supplies to Have at HomeIn order to be MOST prepared, keep thesethings at home:

Outdoor grill and fuelFire escape ladderRope and duct tapeExtra batteries

Never use items such as grills, campstoves, or generators indoors. Theycreate carbon monoxide, a deadlygas that cannot be seen or smelled.

Store supplies in a dry, cool place. Use supplies before they expire and replace what you use.

Your Grab BagIt is important to have a Grab Bag ready to go in caseyou ever need to leave your home quickly in anemergency. Your Grab Bag should include:

One day’s clothing and shoes for eachfamily memberPersonal care products (for example:toothbrush, feminine hygiene products, diapers)TowelBlanket or sleeping bagFlashlight & extra batteriesGranola bars/trail mixExtra set of car keysCashPrepaid phone cardCopies of important documents: medicaland prescription information, passports, birthcertificates, drivers license, insurance papers,bank account information ...

Your HomeIn an emergency, having these few items in yourhome can help keep your family safe.

Water: at least 1 gallon, per person, per dayCan opener (non-electric)Battery powered radioABC-type fire extinguisherSmoke detectors and carbonmonoxide detectorsPrescription medicationsWired telephone (not cordless)First aid kitFlashlight & battery powered lantern3-day supply of canned or dried foods3-day supply of baby food and formula

If you have to leave your home quickly,don’t forget your prescription medications,eyeglasses and/or hearing aids.

Think about keeping your Grab Bag in the trunkof your car. You’ll be ready to go quickly and willhave what you need if you are stuck on the road.

If you lose power, eat the food in yourrefrigerator first. Without power, arefrigerator should keep food at a safetemperature for about four hours. If thepower is off longer than that, use youremergency food supply.

Step 2: Make a FamilyCommunications PlanIf you are separated and cannot get in touch with your family,each family member should call the same contact out-of-state.Fill out the card above and give copies to all family membersto keep with them. Identify:

An emergency contact in your local areaA contact out-of-state in case the emergency affectsyour local contactA neighborhood meeting place

Step 3: Make a Family Evacuation PlanIn an emergency, you may need to leave your home quickly.If you think you might need to evacuate, listen to the radio formore information. Make sure everyone knows:

The best exits out of your homeA neighborhood meeting placeLocal radio stationLocation of: Grab Bag, fire extinguisher and first-aid kitA plan for pets in case you need to evacuate

Step 4: Make a Plan for People withIn-Home Care NeedsIf someone needs special assistance in an emergency:

Tell your local fire department about their special needsIdentify a neighbor or family member who can helpif a care provider cannot get to themTalk with a care provider about what should be donein an emergencyConsider helping neighbors who may have special needs