Disaster survival depends on preparation

Most of us don't think much about natural disasters on a daily basis. Yet, Illinois continues to rank high from risks like tornadoes, floods, winter storms, fires and earthquakes. In fact in the past 26 years, Illinois has received 24 presidential declarations due to naturally occurring disasters.

Are you and your family prepared to cope with potential disasters? Being well prepared can save lives and property losses.

Barbara Cooper

Late winter and early spring can bring storms that knock down power lines and disrupt service. If a disaster interrupts your electric service, immediately contact your electric cooperative. Then take steps to protect your property. When the power is off, unplug any appliances with electronic components — those with computer chips like the new touch-pad appliances. This helps to eliminate damage from voltage surges when electricity is restored. Even after the electricity comes back on, wait a few minutes before turning these appliances back on.

If you find downed power lines during a power outage, don't go near them. Stay away. Let qualified staff from the power supplier handle them.

Dangerous situations also arise when basements or crawlspaces flood. Never wade into a flooded basement unless the electricity supplying sump pumps, freezers and other appliances submerged in the water has been disconnected. If the power is restored while you are wading in the water, the current would go to the appliances and, ultimately, to you.

Cold weather power outages are a special concern when heat is lost. Keep warm by wearing several layers of clothes and staying dry. Layered clothing provides better insulation. If the power might be off for an extended length of time, move to a single room in the home. Ideally, that room would have an alternate heat source such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Keep auxiliary heating sources in good working order and operate them with proper ventilation. Keep curtains closed unless the sun is shining on the window.

Disaster experts recommend that families assemble a disaster supply kit. This kit can be used at home or taken to another location if you are forced to leave. It should include drinking water, nonperishable food and a non-electric can opener. Also needed are first-aid supplies, a battery-operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries. Candles, matches, extra dry clothing and blankets or sleeping bags should be part of the kit, too. Don't forget to include special needs that are specific to your family, such as medications or baby care supplies.

Keep the kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Change your stored water supply every six months and rotate stored food every twelve months so it stays fresh. Rethink your kit and your family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries and update clothes at this time.

Families need to work together to prepare for a disaster. Discuss the kinds of possible disasters that could strike your area and how to react. Identify an escape route out of the house and determine a meeting place once outside. In contrast, you also need to find the safest place to go inside the home in case a tornado is coming.

Identify an out-of-state contact to phone if family members are separated and unable to return to their residence after a disaster. During a local disaster, placing calls to other states is easier than calling locally.

Have emergency phone numbers posted near the phone. Help children understand how and when to call for help. Each family member needs to know how to turn off gas, electricity and water at the main switches. Make sure a working ABC type (a multipurpose) fire extinguisher is in the home and everyone knows how to use it.

For more information about disasters, talk to your local Emergency Services Disaster agency. The Illinois Cooperative Extension Service also maintains a Disaster Resources web site at http:// www.ag.uiuc.edu/~disaster/ that can be used by individuals with computer access to the Internet.

Barbara Cooper is an Extension Educator, Consumer & Family Economics, at the Springfield Extension Center, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois. You can write to her in care of Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. Telephone (217) 782-6515. E-Mail: cooperb@idea.ag.uiuc.edu

14 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING FEBRUARY 1998