If an emergency occurred today, would you and your family be prepared?
“Ready? Set? Good!” is a campaign encouraging folks in the Baltimore region to prepare for an emergency by setting aside three key resources: a portable battery-powered radio, a flashlight and water. These essentials can help you get through the first critical hours into an emergency situation when basic services may not be available.
Let’s unpack these a little bit.
- RADIO — A portable, battery-powered radio can help you access information from local emergency services when other methods of communication are unavailable.
- FLASHLIGHT — A flashlight can help you navigate your home safely if power goes out.
- WATER — One gallon of water per person per day for three days can ensure everyone stays hydrated during the initial window of crisis response.
Now let’s pack these up in a home preparedness kit. This is super important for households with kids, seniors and people with disabilities, but everyone can be smart by being prepared.
Great, you’ve got your three essentials! What’s next on the list?
- Enough non-perishable food for three days. Good choices included canned meats, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, crackers, cookies and canned or boxed juices. Also, don’t forget extra baby food and formula for infants and toddlers.
- A manual can opener. You can’t open canned foods without one.
- A first aid kit. This should include sterile gauze and bandages, safety pins, tweezers, needles, scissors, antiseptic ointment, petroleum jelly and sunscreen.
- A waterproof, portable container for important papers. Keep your most important documents safe and handy in case of evacuation.
Other supplies may include blankets, prescription medications and non-prescription drugs, infant formula, diapers and wipes, pet supplies, toilet paper and paper towels, personal hygiene supplies, face masks, duct tape, garbage bags, whistles, signal flares, matches and more.
Consider preparing a secondary kit in your car. This can also include jumper cables, tire chains, traction mats and local maps.
You can make a plan to purchase one or two items at a time over several weeks or months. Keep in mind that certain supplies, such as water and food, should be replaced regularly.
Okay, you’ve got your kit. What else can you do to be prepared?
- Make a plan. This should include instructions for children responding to an emergency at home or at school, discussion with seniors and people with disabilities about special accommodations they may need, decisions about pets and more.
- Know your surroundings. Familiarize yourself with site plans at schools, daycares, workplaces and other facilities. Learn about shelters and evacuation routes serving your community. Consider family and friends in nearby regions who could help you if needed. Get to know your neighbors and encourage them to be prepared.
- Get reliable information. Local news radio stations may be the most reliable sources of up-to-date information during emergencies. Local emergency management agencies do use other methods to alert citizens during emergencies, including calls, texts, email and website updates. Find your local agency and subscribe for emergency alerts here:
When you make yourself and your household prepared for an emergency, you can help your community and local emergency responders keep everyone safer. Thank you for making a plan and doing your part.
“Ready? Set? Good!” is a program of the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative, supported by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.