Hampton Commons Condominium Association

Hampton Township, New Jersey

Hampton Commons Pages

Disaster Plan Suggestions

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services — water, gas, electricity or telephones — were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Families can and do cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create your family’s disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.

Your Family Disaster Plan

4 Steps to Safety

1. Find Out What Could Happen to You.

Contact your local emergency management office and American Red Cross Chapter. Be prepared to take notes.

• Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.
• Learn about your community’s warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
• Ask about animal care after disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
• Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
• Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.

2. Create a Disaster Plan.

Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.

• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
• Pick two places to meet:
  • Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
  • Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact”. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

3. Complete this Checklist.

• Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.)
• Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
• Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage, with special attention to flood insurance.
• Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it’s kept.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt.
• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
• Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
• Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.

4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan.

• Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries twice each year, when you set your clocks for Daylight Savings or Standard Time.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit

There are six basics you should stock in your home: water, food, first aid, clothing and bedding, tools, and emergency supplies and special items.

Keep the items you will most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container such as a large, covered trash container, camping backpack or duffle bag. Keep a smaller version of the disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

Water

• Store one gallon of water per person per day
• Have purifying agents available

How to store water...

Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are the best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. Seal water containers tightly, label them and store in a cool, dark place. Replace every six months.

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each person. Select foods that require no refrigeration, cooking or preparation. Select food items that are compact and lightweight and rotate the food supply every six months.

• Ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Soups — bouillon cubes or dried soups in a cup
• Milk — powdered or canned
• Stress foods — sugar cookies, hard candy
• Staples — sugar, salt, pepper
• Juices — canned, powdered or crystallized
• Smoked or dried meats, such as beef jerky
• Vitamins
• High energy foods — peanut butter, nuts, trail mix, etc.

Non-Prescription medications

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Antacid
• Laxative
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Activated charcoal
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Emetic (to induce vomiting)
• Eye wash
• Antiseptic or hydrogen peroxide

First Aid Kit

You should have two first aid kits - one for your home and the other for your car. The kit should include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• 3-inch sterile gauze pads (8-12)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (8-12)
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• 2 & 3-inch sterile roller
• bandages (3 rolls each)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Safety razor blade
• Bar of soap
• Moistened towelettes (8-10 packages)
• Antiseptic spray
• Non-breakable thermometer
• Tongue blades and wooden applicator sticks
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent - soap
• Latex gloves

Tools and Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler’s checks, change
• Fire extinguisher, small canister, ABC type
• Pliers
• Compass
• Aluminum foil
• Signal flare
• Needles, thread
• Shut-off wrench for gas and water
• Plastic sheeting
• Family emergency preparedness plan
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Tube tent
• Tape
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Plastic storage container
• Paper, pencil
• Medicine dropper
• Dust mask and work gloves

Sanitation

• Toilet paper, towelettes
• Feminine supplies
• Plastic garbage bags, ties
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Household chlorine bleach
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Personal hygiene items
• Small shovel, to dig expedient latrine
• Disinfectant

Clothing and Bedding

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person

• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Thermal underwear
• Rain gear
• Hat and gloves
• Sunglasses

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs such as infants, elderly or disabled individuals.

for Baby

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

for Adults

• Heart and high blood pressure medications
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses
• Entertainment - games for children; books for adults

Important Family Documents - Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.

• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Bank account numbers
• Passports, social security cards, Immunization records
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

This web page was last updated on August 31, 2006.
Please contact the management company for the latest information about Hampton Commons.