Security Safety & Emergency Preparedness- Home Maintenance

The following are safety recommendations for the security of your yourself & loved ones and the security of your home & its possessions:

  • Alarm system monitored and set when leaving home and during sleep OR install alarm devices on common break-in areas of your home such as the front/back doors and/or windows.  Check your local hardware store for alarm devices if you do not have an alarm system in your home.
  • Signs posted in the yard or on fences to display a security system in use may deter possible thieves.
  • Store valuables & firearms in fireproof and waterproof safes & hidden in hard to find the area of your home.
  • Consider gun safety containers and safe storage of guns and ammunition especially if children in the home
  • Saferoom built in your home may be desired for security purposes or a natural disaster
  • Good lighting outside the home for increased security measures and consider motion-controlled lighting & sensors for dark hours.
  • Consider bolt locks that are keyed inside especially for doors that have glass or doors that have windows to the side; peepholes installed may be a helpful security measure; teach all family members to not open the door to strangers or even an outside contractor, even a person in uniform with or without a badge, without a visible work order or is not expected at your door
  • Keep personal identification information locked or well kept in the event there is a security breach/break-in
  • Cover by marking through or remove all prescription labels from your bottles before discarding
  • Shred personal information especially with any account numbers, addresses, social security number and date of birth. Emergency bin in the event of a natural disaster or power outage that will supply food and water for each family member for 6 months; batteries, flashlights and cash.

Emergency Preparedness for a power outage, medical, weather or other type disaster:

lock disaster kits if small children are in the household due to possibly unsafe items kept in a kit

3 AREAS OF A DISASTER KIT

  1. HEALTH ITEMS: THESE ARE ITEMS TO STAY HEALTHY
  2. EMERGENCY ITEMS
  3. PERSONAL ITEMS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER

1. HEALTH ITEMS: ITEMS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NEED TO STAY ALIVE

The amount depends on the disaster you might be prepared for depending on your location and the typical disaster that might have a higher chance of happening in your area. These are some recommendations from safety councils when preparing your disaster kit.

  • food
  • water & sports drink, punch or similar hydrating liquid
  • sports bars for calories or protein bars
  • may consider MRE’s:  meals ready to eat
  • water filter, containers for cooking & storage, utensils, plates, paper cleaning products, wet wipes, towels, cups
  • food that will last 6months to one year such as oatmeal, dry cereal, freeze-dried foods, or similar such as canned goods & can opener
  • cleaning liquid for food prep
  • needed medicine prescriptions or OTC(over the counter medicine), first aid kit & any additional first aid items for medical emergencies

2.  EMERGENCY ITEMS TO STAY SAFE

  • communication devices such as extra cell phone & batteries, two-way radios with additional batteries, map, compass, radio w/ additional batteries, weather radio, or similar
  • generator or notes on emergency contact family members or friends that have a generator or neighbor that is known to have a generator.
  • lighting sources such as several flashlights(maybe one for each family member), batteries, large battery operated flood lights, candles, matches, lighter, lighter fluid, headgear with light source.
  • electrical devices such as a converter for power source that may be used through your vehicle or another battery source in your garage, carport or storage.
  • emergency paperwork that may be needed during a disaster such as copy of SS card, DL, birth certificate, medical information if needed on each family member, extra credit card & cash.
  • weapons for defending you and your family if you are faced with criminal activity during the disaster but must place these items in a safe locked container to keep away from children or any unresponsible adult.
  • waterproof & fireproof safe that has combination lock or key or both then have family trained on combination or where extra keys are stored in the event of a disaster.  Practice a disaster drill with your family.

3.  PERSONAL ITEMS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER:  IN ADDITION TO PILLOW(S), BLANKET(S), TOWELS, & TENT(S), & WEATHER GEAR.

  •       Extra clothing(per season & change every 6 months or sooner depending on the climate of your location &/or coat) & shoes.
  • personal cleaning items such as wet wipes, antibacterial agents, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, vitamins, etc.
  • medication & additional information for each member of any medical condition or emergency care needed.
  • toys, games, etc., and special items for each family member to have during the disaster to try to keep some normalcy and happiness.
  • special blanket or pillow
  • additional items may be contacts/glasses & saline solution.