Transcript Slide 1

Emergency Preparation
Just in Case……..
Lets Face It- Our World Has
Changed …………………
We should all be prepared… just in case
 Weather Changes
 Social Changes
 Political Changes
 Biological Changes and Diseases
 Economic Changes
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This Program is Just the Surface
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This Information is a Good Place to Start
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Its UP TO YOU to take the first step
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Some people talk about preparation, but few have really taken any
action…..
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Being prepared does not mean a disaster will happen, but ignoring
the possibility of a crisis, is not a safe thing to do.
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This EPK program is only a “nutshell”, there is contact information
and resources given at the end of the session
Why do I volunteer my time to talk
about Emergency Preparedness?
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During every crisis or hurricane season,
people talk a lot, but plan too little.
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So lets get STARTED……….
Make a Family Emergency Plan
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Meet as a family and talk
about what sorts of
emergencies might occur,
how you plan to respond,
and what everyone will do
under any kind of
emergency
Meet with your boss and
co-workers at your job
Schedule a meeting with
your kids school to find
out about “lock down”
drills and what you should
expect
Practice carrying out
the plan.
Every Family’s Needs Are Different
 You should have enough supplies food, medical
supplies and tools on hand for several days.
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Keep cash and travelers checks along with
emergency credit cards.
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Keep important family documents in a watertight
container and fire proof safe. Or, copy to CD/DVD.
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Have a meeting with family members and friends,
make sure that everyone knows what to do.
Power Outages Are Very Possible
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Before a power outage
During a power outage
What to keep in supplies for a power outage
How to keep food safe to eat
Did you know loss of food is sometimes covered
under Homeowners Insurance????
Before a power outage
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Register life-sustaining and medical equipment with your utility company.
Your home will be on a priority list to turn on first.
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Buy a generator. When using a generator, follow the instructions carefully.
Keep your generator outside and run a cord inside, the fumes are
dangerous!
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Make sure your disaster preparedness kit contains light sticks, flashlights, a
battery-powered radio with extra batteries, and a wind-up clock.
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Have a cell telephone available — corded phones sometimes will not work
when the power is out.
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Have an alternative heat source and supply of fuel.
During a power outage
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Turn off lights and electrical appliances, except for the
refrigerator and freezer.
Unplug computers and other sensitive equipment to protect
them from possible surges when the power is restored.
Leave one lamp on, so you will know when power is
restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored
before turning on other appliances
Conserve and store water you will need for drinking and
hygiene.
Never use gas ovens, gas ranges, barbecues, or portable or
propane heaters for indoor cooking. Candles can cause a
fire. It's far better to use battery-operated flashlights or glow
sticks for lighting.
Stay away from downed power lines and sagging trees with
broken limbs.
Keep food safe
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Use and store food carefully to prevent foodborne illness when power outages make
refrigeration unavailable.
Keep and store powdered energy foods to mix
with water- these are good energy/great value.
Use foods first that can spoil most rapidly.
Keep doors to refrigerators and freezers closed.
Your refrigerator's freezer will keep food frozen
for up to a day. A separate fully-loaded freezer
will keep food frozen for two days.
Neighborhood Watch….this means
you too……  It’s time to choose between being
a spectator or a participant in your
neighborhood security.
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Security, police, and the military
can’t be everywhere.
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Crime personally affects every
individual.
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Heightened awareness
communicates confidence that we
are not easy targets.
Lets Talk About…….Crime in Your
Neighborhood
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Would You be Suspicious and Know What to Do?
Recognize Suspicious Activity
Unusual Activity
Unusual activity does not necessarily mean that terrorist/crime
activity is happening, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware of:
• People acting furtively and suspiciously;
• People avoiding eye contact;
• People departing quickly when seen or approached;
• People in places they don’t belong;
• A strong odor coming from a building or vehicle;
• An overloaded vehicle;
• Fluid leaking from a vehicle, other than the engine or gas tank;
• Over dressed for the weather.
Start Your Own Group, or join an
existing group….
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When a city like Houston
experiences a sudden
population surge, or
when crime goes up, we
need to help the officials,
since our first responders
are stretched to the limit.
Make a difference in our
own neighborhood.
Cut Crime Out of Your Area
Stay Alert
Recognize the difference between normal and
abnormal behavior. Get to know:
 Who are our neighbors;
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What cars are normally in our neighborhood;
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Who regularly makes deliveries;
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Who the regular maintenance and cleaning
people;
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Know what is appropriate in our, so we can
identify what isn’t and always ask for ID of
people who are in a “closed” area or want
access to your home!
Lets Talk About Family Home
Fire Safety
Lets Ask These Questions
 Do you know what to plan in an escape?
 How to actually escape?
 What do we do in an actual fire?
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Plan Your Fire Escape
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Everyone should know how to unlock
doors and windows;
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Replace smoke detector batteries twice a
year;
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Make sure your smoke alarm is in
working order or replace it;
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Many $20 standard off the shelf units will
melt under heat and are not effective
anyway;
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Consider purchasing “professional”
quality alarms from a reputable company;
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Keep a fire extinguisher in each bedroom
or in the hall.
Know How To Escape
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Draw a floor plan of your home with
two escape routes;
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Have a meeting place somewhere
outside of your home;
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Practice having family fire drills and
make them realistic;
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Purchase quality fire safety equipment
for your home;
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Have a fire inspection they are free
from some companies.
During a Fire
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Call 911 as soon as you see
smoke;
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Keep a fire safety ladder by
escape window on top floors;
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Shut the doors as you are
escaping;
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Do NOT try to stay and take
personal items;
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Have a scanned copy of all your
valuable paperwork and
documents prepared and close to
an escape route;
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Keep your COOL do not panic.
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If you are escaping through
lots of smoke, keep your
head/face close to doorknob
level;
Test doorknobs with your
hands to see if you feel heat;
If you open door and see
smoke- close door quickly.
Hurricanes & Flooding
Flooding in a Disaster
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Be prepared for flooding and
maybe wind damage;
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Be prepared for power outages for
several days;
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Know when to evacuate;
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Did you know flooding separate
from your homeowners
policy…..and flooding is not
covered without this policy.
Prepare for Flooding
Gas, electricity and water
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Turn off gas, electricity, and water supplies at the mains. Find out where these
are well in advance of any flood;
Unplug all electrical items and store upstairs or as high up as possible;
Put plugs into sinks and weigh them down with something heavy.
Reduce flood water getting into your home
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Put silicone sealant on open doors and windows. Smear a layer of this around
the frame, then shut and lock the door/window.
Ideally, cover doors, windows and airbricks with plywood, sandbags, or metal
sheeting.
Furniture and appliances
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Move as much furniture and electrical items as you can upstairs.
Alternatively, raise them up on bricks or blocks. This may be very
helpful for large appliances such as fridge/freezers;
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Move furniture away from walls, as this helps when drying your
property later;
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If you can, roll up carpets and rugs and put them upstairs;
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If there is no time to remove curtains, hang them up over the rail so
they are kept above flood water;
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Leave internal doors open, or ideally, remove them and store them
upstairs.
If Your Family has to Evacuate
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Bring Emergency Prepare
“GO” Kit.
Have a place to stay or bring
camping gear.
Take care of pets.
Remember where to meet.
Shut down utilities.
Take emergency documents.
Did you know your
homeowners insurance may
cover your living costs when
you have to flee your home
due to storms or fire?
Traffic Jams- Be Prepared
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Bring “auto”
preparation kit.
Bring extra fuel.
Have a place to stay
for several days with
friends or family.
Keep your car full of
fuel and in good
repair before a storm.
Hurricanes, Power Outages, Civil
Unrest and Terrorists Threats
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Emergency preparedness is now a
very real concern and having the
right emergency supplies when an
emergency hits can mean the
difference between life and death.
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Did you know that rioting,
vandalism, and looting damage to
your home or business can be
covered under your homeowners
insurance policy.
Make SEVERAL Kits Because...
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Your work can be shut
down during a crisis;
Your kids at school may
be “locked down” if there
is a threat;
You should carry a basic
“auto” kit if your are
stranded on the road or
traffic is halted;
Its all about YOU! And
those that you care about
What to Put in a Disaster Kit
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Water
Food
First Aid
Non-Prescription
Drugs
Tools and Supplies
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Sanitation products
(toilet paper!)
Clothing & Bedding
Special Items
Baby Items
Pet Items
Entertainment
Family Documents
Emergency Preparedness
to Learn More…..
Emergency Contact Information
CERT- Fire Corps- Medical Reserve- Volunteers in Police
Training- USA on Watch
To learn more about the Harris County Citizen Corps &
its training programs, please contact Mark Sloan.
Review Your Insurance Policy
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Don’t make the mistake
of saying;
I don’t have time;
It costs too much;
I can’t afford it;
My spouse takes care of
that;
We are careful, nothing
can happen to us.
Why Does Insurance Matter?
CAUSE
 I don’t have time.
 It costs too much.
 I can’t afford it.
 My spouse takes care
of that.
 We are careful,
nothing can happen
to us.
EFFECT
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Do you have TIME for an
uninsured CRISIS?
Insurance is CHEAP after
the fact….you’d pay anything
to have that the right
coverage at that moment.
What if something
IMPORTANT was
overlooked?
What about things beyond
your control?
Do Something-Your Life is
Changing Every Day…..
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Your Insurance needs
change every 6
months to 1 year.
Farmers offers a
guaranteed complete
review each year.
How long has it been
since your agent
called YOU?
To reduce your insurance costs,
check out these discounts.
AUTO DISCOUNTS
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Multi Policy Discount save on homeowners and your auto
insurance
HOME DISCOUNTS
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Non Smoker Discount
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Age 50 Plus Discount
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Home Security Device
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Multi-Vehicle Discount
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Driver Improvement Discount
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Academic Achievement Discount
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Claim Free Discount
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Youth Education and Safety (YES) Discount
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Automatic Fire Sprinklers Discount
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Prior Insurance Discount
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Home Renovation or New Home Discount
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Drug and Alcohol Awareness
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New Roof Discount
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Bank Draft Discount
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Garage Parking Discount
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Anti-Theft Discount
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Renters / Dwelling
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Claim Free Discount
Passive Restraint Discount
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Home Renovation or New Home Discount
Student away at school discount
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New Roof Discount
Do you know that....your
homeowners policy may cover….
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Loss of business property off
or on your premises.
Property loss at a college dorm
or lake cabin.
Your property may be fully
covered when you move.
Theft of jewelry/furs/gold
guns/stamps.
Lost credit card/forgery.
Sewer back up or overflow of
water or steam.
Vandalism.
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Loss of use- if you stay in a
hotel due to a fire or storm.
Fallen trees and debris
removal may be covered.
If you lose “one” item in a pair,
such as jewelry you could
recover full value of set.
Medical payments up to
$25,000 for bodily injury and
property damage to third party.
Injuries to a third party from
your pet on or off your
property.
For Emergency Preparedness Programs
for Your Business, School or Organization
For more information on insurance
preparedness review or a group program
for your homeowners association or
organization, click here.
Emergency Preparation
“Farmers. Gets You Back
Where You Belong”