INTRODUCTION: WE WELCOME SUGGESTED EDITS FOR THIS SECTION
This section is prepared in hopes it will be helpful for members of our Sedro-Woolley congregation and for everyone else who reads it. Emergencies happen even in the most peaceful times. And since the Bible foretells that in the end time there will be an increase in crime, warfare, terrorism, and natural disasters, it is increasingly likely that someday we will need some of this safety and survival information.
We intend for this section to be repeatedly edited, expanded, and updated, as we will never consider it complete or exhaustive. If you as a reader think of something that should be added or reworded, please let us know and we will consider making the change.
BEST EMERGENCY PUBLICATION FOR WASHINGTON RESIDENTS
RELY FOREMOST ON GOD’S PROTECTION
PLAN AHEAD AND BE PREPARED
BE YOUR “BROTHER’S KEEPER”
DON’T PROCRASTINATE IN PREPARATION UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE!
KEEP EMERGENCY SUPPLIES ON HAND
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR HOME
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR CAR
ACTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES
REDUCE HOME HAZARDS
ADDITIONAL EXCELLENT RESOURCES
AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID PRIMER
BEST EMERGENCY PUBLICATION FOR WASHINGTON RESIDENTS
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Probably the most thorough single publication is the Emergency Resource Guideis available from Washington’s State Department of Health. The 2007 edition is 42 pages in length. To see this guide in an Adobe PDF file, click on Emergency Resource Guide.
To order your own copy, go to http://www.doh.wa.gov/.
- Click on Emergency Resource Guide.
- Select Washington State Printer’s “General Store.
- Register and select a password.
- Select “Shop by Agency.”
- Select “Department of Health.”
- Select “Emergency preparedness.”
- Select “Emergency Resource Guide.”
- Complete the ordering process.
RELY FOREMOST ON GOD’S PROTECTION
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The most important advice we can possibly give is to stay close to God and rely on Him as your Protector and Provider to take care of you daily and especially in times of trouble. Many scriptures in the Bible speak of how God delights in protecting those who obey Him, trust in Him, and pray for His protection. Here are just a few from the book of Psalms:
- Psalm 23:4—“Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with m; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
- Psalm 27:1—“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
- Psalm 62:6—“He only is my rock and salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.”
- Psalm 91—(The entire psalm.)
- Psalm 118:8—“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
PLAN AHEAD AND BE PREPARED
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In addition to trusting in God, He wants us to exercise wisdom and do whatever we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones. The better your preparation, the more you can prevent injuries, diseases, and hardships. Here are two scriptures about looking ahead, avoiding trouble, and being prepared:
- Proverbs 22:3, LB--“A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
- Proverbs 6:6-8, LB--“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise! For though they have no king to make them work, yet they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”
BE YOUR “BROTHER’S KEEPER”
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In addition to your own safety and welfare, consider how you might help your family, friends, and neighbors. In times of emergency, check up on them to see if they need help. Maintain a list of phone numbers and alternate phone numbers. And if you have the time and opportunity, you might consider being an emergency volunteer or donating blood.
- Matthew 22:38—“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Philippians 2:4—“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
And if you need help, don’t hesitate to call for help!!
DON’T PROCRASTINATE IN PREPARATION UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE!
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Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these things [necessities of life] shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…” (Matthew 6:33-34). If we pray, plan, and prepare, we don’t need to worry! Jesus also said, “But take heed to yourselves, lest…that Day come on you unexpectedly” (Luke 21:34). Don’t be like the five foolish virgins who failed to keep oil in their lamps (Matthew 25:1-13). Please don’t put off making plans and preparations until it is too late!
KEEP EMERGENCY SUPPLIES ON HAND
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After a disaster, you may have to survive on your own for at least a few days. You may not have water, electricity, gas, or sewage disposal for a while. You may not be able to purchase water, food, medicines, and personal supplies. In addition to keeping emergency supplies at your home and in your car, consider having a few things at work or at school. If you plan to spend time in the wilderness, learn about wilderness survival and essential supplies.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR HOME
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(Prepare at least for three days, preferably for two weeks.)
- Corded telephone (that doesn’t require electricity).
- Cell phone. (With an adapter, it can be recharged in your car.)
- Bottled drinking water—one gallon per person per day. (Identify the storage date and replace every six months.)
- Liquid bleach. (If you have no heat for boiling unsafe water, you can use bleach for disinfecting water. Use only regular household liquid bleach with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches, or bleaches with added cleaners. Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.)
- Supply of non-perishable food & a manual can opener. Select foods that require no refrigeration, no cooking and little or no water.
- First aid kit and instruction manual.
- Prescription medications, eye glasses, hearing aid batteries, etc.
- Flashlights and extra batteries.
- Matches or lighters and candles.
- Portable battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
- Extra clothing and blankets, rain gear, sturdy shoes, and gloves.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Extra toiletries & personal hygiene items (hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine supplies, towelettes, diapers, plastic bags, etc.)
- Cash. (ATM’s & credit cards won’t work if power is out.)
- Legal papers & photocopies of I.D. & credit cards in fire-safe place.
- Extra set of house keys and car keys.
- Phone numbers of family members, physicians, etc. Include a contact person out of the area if local phone lines or out or overloaded.
- Tools including crescent wrench for shutting off the natural gas.
- Special items for infants, elderly, disabled family members, or pets.
- A kerosene or propane heater can be used indoors IF it is vented to the outside and used with full safety precautions.
- Camp stove or charcoal grill & fuel for outdoor cooking (outdoor stoves & grills must not be used indoors because they emit carbon monoxide).
- Electric generator (if affordable). The motor must be outside the house.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR CAR
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- Spare tire, car jack, and air pump.
- Fire extinguisher (ABC type).
- First aid kit and manual.
- Cell phone with adapter for recharging it from the car battery.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- Essential medication.
- Bottled water.
- Walking shoes.
- During cold season: sleeping bag, warm clothes, cap, gloves, etc.
- Ice scraper.
- Flares.
- Non-perishable energy foods. (Pack extra food if going into wilderness.)
- Tools—knife, pliers, screwdrivers, shovel.
- Maps.
- GPS device (if affordable—included with some cars & cell phones).
- Tissues and pre-moistened towelettes.
- Siphon for gasoline (short rubber hose can be used)
- Paper & marker for making a sign (HELP! or OUT OF GAS)
ACTIONS TO TAKE BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES
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- Have adequate homeowners or renters insurance.
- Learn at least basic first aid. Click here to read the American Red Cross “First Aid Primer.”
- Pick a friend for a “buddy system.” Check on each other, especially when there is a reason for concern. Consider giving each other your house key for use when one of you might be unconscious or cannot answer the phone.
- Have a portable battery-powered radio to learn of emergency warnings.
- Keep a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone, including the National Poison Control Center (800-222-1222). The list should include the numbers for work and school for each family member. Teach your children when it is appropriate to call 9-1-1.
- Have smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near the bedrooms.
- Have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home and learn how to operate them. Choose fire extinguishers that are effective for all types of fires (ABC type).
- Make Family Emergency Plans and explain them to your children, baby sitters, and caregivers.
- Plan escape routes so everyone knows exactly how to get out of any part of the house in case of fire or other emergency.
- Determine the safest place in your home for each type of danger such as tornado or chemical attack.
- Utilities: Know how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches or valves if needed. Keep the necessary tools handy for doing this. (Do not shut off gas just to practice. If gas is turned off for any reason, only a qualified professional can turn it back on.)
- Determine where your family will meet if you are separated. Choose one place near your home and another place in case you have to evacuate the neighborhood.
- Choose an “out-of-town” relative or friend to contact after a disaster to report where you are. Everyone in the family should have this phone number.
- Plan for those with disabilities and other special needs.
- Take classes from the American Red Cross in First Aid and CPR.
- Vital family records and other important documents such as birth and marriage certificates, social security cards, passports, wills, deeds, and financial, insurance, and immunization records should be kept in a safe deposit box, fire safe, or other safe location.
- Inventory home possessions. Make a record of your possessions to help you claim reimbursement in case of loss or damage. Include photos or video of the interior and exterior of your home. Store the info in a safe (from fire or water) location.
- Reduce home hazards. (See next section.)
REDUCE HOME HAZARDS
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- Keep stairs and walkways free from objects that could cause tripping.
- Learn and utilize fire prevention measures.
- Have a professional repair any defective electrical wiring or leaky gas connections.
- Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves and hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
- Use straps or other restraints to secure tall cabinets, bookshelves, large appliances (especially water heater and furnace), and other heavy objects to wall studs.
- Store pesticides and all flammable products away from heat sources.
- Place oily rags and waste in covered containers and dispose of them according to local regulations.
- Have a professional clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, connectors, and gas vents.
ADDITIONAL EXCELLENT RESOURCES
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An abundance of additional free information and advice can be obtained from federal and state agencies such as the ones below. (Some of these links are to Adobe PDF files. To access them requires Adobe Acrobat Reader software. To install that on your computer, click here.)
“Prepare.org” is a website of American Red Cross with special information for seniors, children, people with disabilities, pets, etc. It has the option of LARGE PRINT. (www.prepare.org)
“Preparing for Disaster” by American Red Cross and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4600.pdf
“Disaster Services” by American Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/.
“Family Emergency Preparedness Plan” by Emergency Management Division of Washington Military Department: http://emd.wa.gov/1-dir/pubed/fpp96.pdf
“Are You Ready?” by FEMA: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/index.shtm
How to Be Prepared for an Earthquake
Family Communications Plan
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