Disaster Awareness of Bollinger County, Missouri

• Buy a NOAA Weather Radio and test it weekly. (The National Weather Service issues a test every Wednesday).

• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur with the members of your household.

• Locate a safe room or the safe areas in your home for each disaster.

• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet – one right outside your home and another somewhere else in your community (possibly at a child's school).

• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members can call and tell that person where they are.

• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets and livestock if you need to evacuate. Animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations.

• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

• Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches.

• Check your insurance coverage – flood and earthquake damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit that should include:

  • A three-day supply of food and water, a change of clothing, a blanket or sleeping bag for each person and a First Aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.

  • Emergency tools: Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, work gloves and a fire extinguisher.

  • Important family documents in a fire and waterproof container, an extra set of keys, credit card, and cash.

  • Have a First-Aid kit purchased from a local supermarket.

• Replace batteries, not only in your smoke detector but also in your NOAA weather radio in the Spring and Fall when Daylight Savings Time changes.

• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes through your local American Red Cross chapter.

• More Information and Emergency preparedness kits can be purchased from the American Red Cross website: http://www.redcross.org.

• FEMA Preparedness Plan http://www.fema.gov/rrr/emprep.shtm