HARRISBURG – The Department of Health is reminding all Pennsylvanians of the top 10 ways they should be prepared for an emergency and of the impact the health effects that accompany an emergency can have on their lives.
“As we have seen from the numerous instances of flooding across the state this year, emergencies can occur anywhere with little advanced warning,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.
“That is why it is so essential that people take steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters before they happen. Each disaster has a public health component, and part of public health involves ensuring residents are prepared.”
The Top 10 Ways to Be Prepared in an Emergency or Disaster are:
- Learn CPR;
- Learn first aid;
- Check your insurance policy to see whether it covers hazards such as flooding, earthquakes and tornadoes;
- Know how to shut off water and gas at your home;
- Have a family emergency plan;
- Have a list of all medications you take;
- Create an emergency kit with enough supplies in case you lose power for three days;
- Plan for those with access and functional needs in your home, such as infants, seniors and those with intellectual and physical disabilities;
- Plan for your pets and their needs; and
- Have a family reunification plan, in case you must leave your home during an emergency.
The department, along with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, has Emergency Preparedness Guides available on its Web site in English, Large Print English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Russian.
Pennsylvanians face many different hazards from natural disasters such as flooding, winter storms and summer storms, to man-made disasters such as fires, hazardous material incidents and possible issues at nuclear power plant facilities. Additional hazards come from a potential act of terrorism or a mass shooting.
September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.”
For more information on emergency preparedness in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health Web site at www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
