Weston, Redding Easton Residents: Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

Written By Doug Hartline, RS, Co-Emergency Management Director

Redding has endured three week-long power outages and an outage this summer. We have all experienced first-hand the inconvenience of what it’s like to live without hot water, lights, heat, computers, TV, refrigerators, and all the power dependent items we routinely use.

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It should now be more evident than ever that every one of us has a responsibility to recognize we each have a role in preparing for the unexpected. Those who procrastinate with their emergency preparation plans and supplies could find themselves having to leave the comfort of their home for lodging elsewhere. That’s when we realize “there’s no place like home.”

As a quick assessment to where you stand with your preparedness, have a look at the questions below. If you are able to respond “yes” to all of them, you are to be commended for safeguarding your family for the unexpected.

• Do you have at least a weeks’ worth of food and water on hand for your household, including pets?
• Do you have enough water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets? You may not have enough fore-notice to fill a bath tub.
• Have you sat down together with your family and decided how you will get in contact with each other, and where you will meet if you get separated?
• Have you pre-arranged for a place to stay (locally, regionally, and out of state) if you are asked to or need to leave your home? Hotels fill up quickly during a large event.
• Do you have travel bedding (sleeping bags, blankets, air mattresses) for all family members should your family need to vacate your dwelling and sleep elsewhere?
• Do you have enough flashlights with spare batteries for all family members to last a week? Do NOT use candles!
• Do you have cash on hand (small bills) because the ATM may not work?
• Do you have enough prescription drugs, spare contact lenses, hearing aid batteries and personal items to last a week?
• Do you have enough baby formula, food, diapers, and wipes to last a week?
• Have you signed up to receive emergency updates by registering with CTAlert.gov? Those signed up automatically receive messages and directives from State and Town officials.

If you are prepared to be self-sufficient then you and your family will be able to “ride out the storm” in the most comfortable place, your home. It’s worth the effort.

More detailed preparedness information can be found at www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov .

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