September is National Preparedness Month, so the Chesterfield Health District is sharing ways to make sure your family is prepared when storms hit our area.
Build a Kit
Ready.gov has a handy list of items you should include in your emergency supply kit, including food, water, flashlight, hand-crank weather radio, and more.
Fernando Tirado is the local health emergency coordinator for the Chesterfield Health District and has been attending events in the area with supplies for community members to start an emergency On-the-Go-Bag.
“The important thing is to start one,” Tirado said. “It’s better to have a few items than nothing at all.”
Chesterfield County has about 3,000 individuals that are on Medicaid and dependent on oxygen or other medical devices that rely on electricity. For these individuals, it can be very stressful to suddenly experience a power outage, especially during a storm or other disaster.
Health officials can work with emergency responders to conduct welfare checks if needed. However, neither the health department nor first responders can provide oxygen canisters during an emergency. Everyone who relies on an oxygen concentrator at home should contact your power provider to ask them to put you on a priority list should your power go out. If you hear that a storm is coming and power outages are expected, you should make sure you have more oxygen than you need and a way to take it with you should you need to evacuate. Supplies disappear quickly during an emergency, and it can be difficult to find a supplier to restock.
Consider putting a sign on your door that says, “This person uses durable medical equipment,” so emergency responders are aware. Check Ready.gov for other tips for people with disabilities.
Invite us to your community event in Chesterfield, Colonial Heights or Powhatan, and we’ll bring the supplies for your attendees to start their own kit.
Turn Around, Don’t Drown
In addition to having a go-bag in your home, office and vehicle, September is a great time to remind yourself what to do and not do during a flood.
Did you know floods are the most common disaster in the United States?
Never walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down. Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can electrically charge the water. One foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Turn around, don’t drown.
In case of emergency, keep documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Visit Ready.gov/floods for more flood safety tips.