Get Prepared Today

In this day and age, the responsibility for being prepared for disasters belongs not only to the government but also to each and every one of us. When we are ready to take care of ourselves and our families no matter the scale of the disaster, we not only help ourselves but help the overall response to a disaster.

In our part of New Jersey there is even more importance to being prepared. The Tri-County Chapter includes part of Newark Liberty Airport, the Elizabeth Port, major refineries and chemical plants, transportation routes along rail and highway, and we are along the exit route if another major disaster strikes New York City.

While the Red Cross and our partners are committed to lending a helping hand to those in need, assistance may be delayed in times of disaster. That's why it's important for your family to Be Red Cross Ready by completing three easy steps:

1. Get a Kit
2. Make a Plan
3. Be Informed

Get a Kit [podcast]

Consider the following when assembling or restocking your kit to ensure your family is prepared for any disaster:

• Store at least three days of food, water and supplies in your family's easy-to-carry preparedness kit. Keep extra supplies on hand at home in case you cannot leave the affected area.
• Keep your kit where it is easily accessible.
• Remember to check your kit every six months and replace expired or outdated items.

Kit Contents

Whether purchasing an official Red Cross preparedness kit or assembling your own, your family's kit should contain items that enable you to provide comfort for everyday scrapes or treat life-threatening emergencies.

A standard preparedness kit should include the following items.

• Water - You and your family may be without water for days in the aftermath of a disaster. The Red Cross recommends that each person store one gallon of water per day for at least three days. This supply will provide water for drinking as well as limited cleaning and cooking.
• Food - When preparing for a disaster, store at least three days of non-perishable, nutritious food that requires little or no water or cooking to prepare. Don't forget to store a manual can opener with non-perishable food items. When assembling items, remember that you and your family may be without water, gas, or electricity for an unknown period of time.
• Medications - When assembling a preparedness kit for you and your family, remember that pharmacies may be closed in the wake of a disaster. Be sure to include a week's supply of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Also keep a list of all medications and dosages, allergies, doctors' names, and nearby hospitals.
• Radio - Your home, or even neighborhood, may lose power in the aftermath of a disaster. Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in your kit. Don't forget to include extra batteries in your kit to ensure you and your family stay informed throughout the course or aftermath of a disaster.
• First Aid Kit - Injuries are a common occurrence in a disaster. Be prepared to treat yourself, your loved ones, and others who need help.
• Personal Documents - You and your family may be displaced after a disaster. Be prepared, ensuring you have all necessary records with you - ID, passport, birth certificate, and insurance policies. Also keep an extra set of eye glasses, contact lenses, a cane, hearing aid batteries, or any other personal items you may need.
• Contact Info - Keep a list of family phone numbers and addresses as well as a copy of your out-of-area emergency contact card in your preparedness kit. Note that it is often easier to make a long-distance call rather than a local call after a disaster strikes.
• Map - Include a detailed map of the surrounding areas with highlighted evacuation routes. Following a disaster, roads may be closed and travel out of the affected area may not be possible. Become familiar with alternate routes to and from your home.
• Money - Following a disaster, banks and ATMs may be closed. Keep small bills and change on hand to buy necessary supplies like water.
• Clothing - You and your family may be forced to evacuate your home in a hurry without time to pack accordingly. Keep an extra set of warm clothes and sturdy shoes in your preparedness kit to ensure you're equipped to evacuate if needed.
• Sanitary Supplies - Include extra toilet paper, feminine supplies, personal hygiene products, bleach, and any other personal products you may need in your preparedness kit.
• Pet Supplies - Remember to include your pets in the plan. Make sure to assemble things your pets will need during a disaster, like food, leashes, medicine, etc.
• Tools - Keep an adjustable wrench in your preparedness kit to turn off your gas if necessary. Other tools may include a manual can opener, plastic sheeting, garbage bags with ties, and duct tape.

Make a Plan [podcast]

When preparing for a disaster, always:

• Talk with your family.
• Plan.
• Learn how and when to turn off utilities and how to use life-saving tools such as fire extinguishers.
• Tell everyone where emergency information and supplies are stored. Provide copies of the family's preparedness plan to each member of the family. Always ensure that information is up-to-date and practice evacuations, following the routes outlined in your plan. Don't forget to identify alternative routes.
• Include pets in your evacuation plans.

Click here to download information about Making a Plan.

Emergency Contacts

As an element of your preparedness plan, choose an out-of-area contact for all family members to call in case of an emergency. Include the contact on your Emergency Contact Card. Your contact should live far enough away that he or she will not be affected by the disaster. You should also:

Predetermine meeting places to save time and minimize confusion.

Select two meeting places:

1. Right outside your home; e.g., in cases such as a home fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood or town, when you cannot return home or you must evacuate.

Be Informed [podcast]

There are three key parts to becoming informed:

1. Get Info – Learn the ways you would get information during a disaster or an emergency.
2. Know Your Region – Learn about the disasters that may occur in your area.
3. Action Steps – Learn First Aid from your local Red Cross chapter.

Get Info

During a disaster, it's important to understand the different ways through which you can obtain information. Make sure you and each member of your family is familiar with the following ways to receive information:

• Television
• Radio
• NOAA Weather Station
• Printed Notices
• Telephone/Text Messaging
• Local Emergency Warning Systems
• Person to Person

Know Your Region

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur in your area, and what to expect from them. If unsure, call your local American Red Cross chapter for more information.

• Earthquakes - Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and recur in the same places. Earthquake-related injuries are often the result of collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects - not the earthquake itself. Expect aftershocks, which may occur within minutes, days, weeks, or even months following the initial earthquake.

• Residential Fires - All homes are at risk for fire. Unlike most disasters, most fires can be prevented. The most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and your home from fire is to prevent a fire from starting by taking the proper precautions.

• Flooding - If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily for several days, be alert for the possibility of a flood.

You and your family should recognize the potential scenarios associated with heavy rain, especially:

• A flood watch means a flood is possible in your area.
• A flood warning means flooding is already occurring.

• Tornadoes - Tornadoes can strike quickly - always watch for danger signs. Be prepared by becoming familiar with your community's warning system and pick a safe place to go ahead of time.

You and your family should recognize the potential scenarios associated with tornadoes, especially:

• A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in or near the watch area.
• A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.

• Hurricanes - During a hurricane, strong winds, storm surges, flooding, tornadoes, and marine hazards may threaten the safety of you and your family.

Protect yourself - recognize the potential scenarios associated with hurricanes, especially:

• A hurricane watch means threat of hurricane storm conditions within 36 hours.
• A hurricane warning means hurricane storm conditions are expected in 24 hours or less.

• Thunderstorms - ALL thunderstorms are dangerous! During a thunderstorm, ensure you have taken the proper precautions to protect yourself and your family from lightning, hail, down-bursts, straight-line winds, power outages, tornadoes, and floods.

Action Steps

Check out our course calendar or call 908-353-2500 to schedule a class.