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 on your home.
- Signs posted in the yard or on fences to display security system in use may deter possible thieves.
- Store valuables & firearms in fire proof and water proof safes & hidden in hard to find area of your home.
- Consider gun safety containers and safe storage of guns and ammunition especially if children in home
- Safe room built in your home may be desired for security purposes or a natural disaster
- Good lighting outside home for increased security measure and consider motion controlled lighting & sensored 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 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 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, head gear with light source.
- electrical devices such as a converter for power source that may be used through your vehicle or other 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 actiivty during the disaster but must place these items in a safe locked container to keep away from children or any unresponsible adult.
- waterprood & 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 agent, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, vitamins, etc.
- medication & additional information for each member of any medical conditions 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.