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There are so many things to do while preparing for deployment – arrange household and financial details; compile important documents and phone numbers; and of course, spend time with family and friends.
Just as organizing these details helps you feel calmer and ready for deployment, preparing for emergencies will give you confidence that you can handle the unexpected, be it a first aid emergency, power outage or a larger event such as a house fire, flood or hurricane. Knowing the family is better prepared will also give your deploying family member greater peace of mind while he or she is away from home.
To make sure your family is “Red Cross Ready,” the American Red Cross recommends you take three simple action steps – get a kit, make a plan and be informed.
Every household should have an emergency preparedness kit with enough essential supplies to last three days, including water (one gallon per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight and batteries, a hand- or crank-operated radio and important medications. Download a full list of disaster supplies by visiting www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady.
Create a family evacuation and communication plan. Choose two meeting places: one right outside your home if you need to leave in a hurry like in a home fire, and one outside your area in case a disaster prevents you from returning home. Choose an out-of-area relative or friend as an emergency contact and make sure that every household member knows how to contact this person. If there is an emergency while your family member is deployed, remember that the Red Cross can send an emergency message to them. Even if the servicemember receives an e-mail or phone call from home, Red Cross-verified information assists commanding officers with making a decision regarding emergency leave.
Before your family member deploys, find out what types of emergencies or disasters are most common where you live and prepare accordingly. Get to know your Red Cross station and the services they provide to military families, including communication links, access to financial assistance and counseling.
September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross wants you and your family to have the peace of mind that comes with being prepared. Make a personal “Pledge to Prepare” at www.redcross.org/en/NPM2008.
For details on how you can help yourself, your family and your community “Be Red Cross Ready,” contact your local KMC station today.
(Courtesy of the American Red Cross)
