Preparedness Test

Think you don't live in an area that is at risk of having an earthquake? Think again! According to the Red Cross: "Forty-five states and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country." That is a pretty high percentage! How prepared are you in case of an emergency? Take this test to help give you an idea: 1. Has your family rehearsed fire escape routes from your home? yes/no 2. Does your family know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake or other emergency situation? yes/no 3. Do you have heavy objects (that can fall during an earthquake) hanging over beds? yes/no 4. Do you have access to an operational flashlight in every occupied bedroom? (use of candles is not recommended unless you are sure there is no leaking gas) yes/no 5. Do you keep shoes near your bed to protect your feet against broken glass? yes/no 6. If a water line is ruptured during an earthquake, do you know how to shut off the main water line to your house? yes/no 7. Can this water valve be turned off by hand-without the use of a tool? yes/no 8. Do you know where the main gas shut-off valve to your house is located? yes/no 9. If you smell gas, do you know how to-and have the tool-to shut it off? yes/no 10. Gas valves usually cannot be turned off by hand. Is there a tool near your valve? Yes/no 11. Would you be able to safely restart your furnace when gas is safely available? yes/no 12. Do you have working smoke alarms in the proper places? Yes/no 13. In case of minor fire, do you have a fire extinguisher that you know how to use? yes/no 14. Do you have duplicate keys and copies of important insurance and other papers stored outside your home? 15. Do you have a functional emergency radio to receive emergency information? yes/no 16. If your family had to evacuate your home, have you identified a meeting place? yes/no If an emergency lasted for three days (72-hours) before help was available to you and your family.... 17. Would you have sufficient food? yes/no 18. Would you have the means to cook food without either gas or electricity? yes/no 19. Would you have sufficient water for drinking, cooking, and sanitary needs? yes/no 20. Does each individual have access to a self-sustaining 72-hour evacuation kit? yes/no 21. Would you be able to carry or transport these items? yes/no 22. Have you established an out-of-state contact? yes/no 23. Do you have a first aid kit in your home and in each car? yes/no 24. Do you have work gloves and some tools for minor rescue and clean up? yes/no 25. Do you have emergency cash on hand? (preferably in small bills-see previous post) yes/no 26. Without electricity and gas, do you have a way to heat at least part of your home? yes/no 27. If you need medications, do you have a month's supply on hand? (see previous post) yes/no 28. Do you have a plan for toilet facilities if there is an extended water shortage? yes/no 29. Do you have a supply of food, clothing, and appropriate fuel for cooking and heating? For 3 weeks? For 3 months? For a year? yes/no How did you do on this test? I'm afraid I have a lot of work to do. I plan on tackling one item at a time!

Do you have cash on hand in case of an emergency?

In cases of catastrophic emergency, like Hurricane Katrina, ATM's and banks are often shut down.  If and when they are able to get an ATM up and running, there will be long lines, and the  ATM will easily run out of money.  If you are able to actually withdraw cash, there will likely be a limit as to the amount you can withdraw.  $40.00 isn't going to get you very far.  The advice I received from someone who was dispatched from the Red Cross to assist during the aftermath of Katrina, said to have at least $500 on hand IN SMALL BILLS!  Why small bills?  Basically, it's much easier to trade small bills. Cash will be in short supply and most people/stores, aren't going to have change for large bills.  If you are trying to buy something from someone and only have a $20 bill, they may not have change, and if you are desperate enough, you could end up paying $20 for a gallon of water or box of matches.  So keep plenty of $1.00's, $5.00's, and $10.00's available.  It also makes it easier to build up your emergency fund.  Stashing away a couple of $5.00 bills is much easier than putting away $100.00.  So start now!  Every little bit helps!