Emergency Preparedness: You & Pets | Savvy Living

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September is National Preparedness month, so I figured I would get cracking on sharing emergency prep. I have already shared what to do before, during and after with farm animals. Now it?s time to cover you and your indoor/outdoor pets.?

What To Do Before, During & After

First: Print out the Family Emergency Plan.

What To Before, During & After: Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters Covers: ?Drought,?Earthquakes,?Extreme Heat,?Floods,?Hurricanes,?Landslides & Debris Flow,?Severe Weather,?Space Weather,?Thunderstorms &?Lightning, Tornadoes, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, Wildfires & Winter Storms & Extreme Cold.

What To Before, During & After: Pandemic

What To Before, During & After: Home Fires

What To Before, During & After:?Technological & Accidental Hazards

Technological & Accidental Hazards Covers:?Blackouts,?Hazardous Materials Incidents,?Household Chemical Emergencies &?Nuclear Power Plants

What To Before, During & After: ?Terrorist Hazards

?Terrorist Hazards Covers: Biological Threats, Chemical Threats,?Cyber Attack,?Explosions,?Nuclear Blast,?Radiological Dispersion Device (RDD)

Recover From Disaster:?Health and Safety Guidelines, Returning Home,?Seeking Disaster Assistance,?Coping with Disaster,?Helping Others.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

Recommended Supplies List (PDF)
Recommended Supplies List (Text)

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
  {Click link above to see how to store, how much water you need, preparing your own containers, how to store in soda bottles. Click here to see how to manage water.}
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
  {Click the link to see suggested food supplies, sanitation, cooking and managing food without power.}
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Maintaining Your Kit

Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed. Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life.
• Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented or corroded.
• Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies.
• Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
• Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family?s needs change.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trashcan, camping backpack or duffel bag.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

HOME

1. Your disaster supplies kit should contain essential food, water and supplies for at least three days.
2. Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
3. Additionally, you may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks.
4. Get more information on building a disaster supplies kit.

WORK

1. You need to be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Make sure you have food and water and other necessities like medicines in your kit. Also, be sure to have comfortable walking shoes at your workplace in case an evacuation requires walking long distances.
2. Your kit should also be in one container and ready to ?grab and go? in case you are evacuated from your workplace.
3. Get more information on building a workplace disaster supplies kit.

VEHICLE

In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car. This kit should include:

• Jumper cables
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit and necessary medications in case you are away from home for a prolonged time
• Food items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars; canned fruit and a portable can opener
• Water for each person and pet in your car
• AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages
• Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
• Shovel
• Ice scraper
• Warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes
• Blankets or sleeping bags

Also consider:

• A fully-charged cell phone and phone charger
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child
• Be prepared for an emergency by keeping your gas tank full and if you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.

Emergency Preparedness For Pets:

Step 1?? Get a Rescue Alert Sticker

This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes 1) the types and number of pets in your household; 2) the name of your veterinarian; and 3) your veterinarian?s phone number. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write ?EVACUATED? across the stickers.

To get a free emergency pet alert sticker for your home, please fill out our online order form?; please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Your local pet supply store may also sell similar stickers.

Step 2?? Arrange a Safe Haven

Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. Remember, if it isn?t safe for you, it isn?t safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards.?Note that not all Red Cross disaster shelters accept pets, so it is imperative that you have determined where you will bring your pets ahead of time:

• Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities.
• Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
• Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets.
• Ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they would be willing to take in your pet.

Step 3?? Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits

Keep an Evac-Pack and supplies handy for your pets. Make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry. Items to consider keeping in or near your pack include:

• Pet first-aid kit and guide book (ask your vet what to include, or visit the?ASPCA Store?to buy one online)
• 3-7 days? worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food (be sure to rotate every two months)
• Disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans are perfect)
• Litter or paper toweling
• Liquid dish soap and disinfectant
• Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
• Pet feeding dishes
• Extra collar or harness as well as an extra leash
• Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit?otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)
• Bottled water, at least 7 days? worth for each person and pet (store in a cool, dry place and replace every two months)
• A traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet
• Flashlight
• Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet)
• Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make ?Lost? posters)
• Especially for cats: Pillowcase or EvackSack, toys, scoopable litter
• Especially for dogs:?Extra leash, toys and chew toys, a week?s worth of cage liner.

You should also have an emergency kit for the human members of the family. Items to include: Batteries, duct tape, flashlight, radio, multi-tool, tarp, rope, permanent marker, spray paint, baby wipes, protective clothing and footwear, extra cash, rescue whistle, important phone numbers, extra medication and copies of medical and insurance information.

Step 4?? Choose ?Designated Caregivers??

This step will take considerable time and thought. When choosing a temporary caregiver, consider someone who lives close to your residence. He or she should be someone who is generally home during the day while you are at work or has easy access to your home. A set of keys should be given to this trusted individual. This may work well with neighbors who have pets of their own?you may even swap responsibilities, depending upon who has accessibility.

When selecting a permanent caregiver, you?ll need to consider other criteria. This is a person to whom you are entrusting the care of your pet in the event that something should happen to you. When selecting this ?foster parent,? consider people who have met your pet and have successfully cared for animals in the past. Be sure to discuss your expectations at length with a permanent caregiver, so he or she understands the responsibility of caring for your pet.

Step 5? Evacuation Preparation

If you must evacuate your home in a crisis, plan for the worst-case scenario. If you think you may be gone for only a day, assume that you may not be allowed to return for several weeks. When recommendations for evacuation have been announced, follow the instructions of local and state officials. To minimize evacuation time, take these simple steps:

• Store an emergency kit and leashes as close to an exit as possible.
• Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification. Your pet?s ID tag should contain his name, telephone number, and any urgent medical needs. Be sure to write your pet?s name, your name and contact information on your pet?s carrier.
• The ASPCA recommends microchipping your pet as a more permanent form of identification. A microchip is implanted in the animal?s shoulder area, and can be read by scanner at most animal shelters.
• Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home during a crisis.
• Consider your evacuation route and call ahead to make arrangements for boarding your pet outside of the danger zone at the first sign of disaster.

Step 6??Geographic and Climatic Considerations

Do you live in an area that is prone to certain natural catastrophes, such as tornadoes, earthquakes or floods? If so, you should plan accordingly.

• Determine well in advance which rooms offer safe havens. These rooms should be clear of hazards such as windows, flying debris, etc.
• Choose easy-to-clean areas such as utility rooms, bathrooms, and basements as safe zones.
• Access to a supply of fresh water is particularly important. In areas that may lose electricity, fill up bathtubs and sinks ahead of time to ensure that you have access to water during a power outage or other crises.
• In the event of flooding, go to the highest location in your home, or a room that has access to counters or high shelves where your animals can take shelter.

If emergency officials recommend that you stay in your home, it?s crucial that you keep your pets with you. Keep your Evac-Pack and supplies close at hand. Your pets may become stressed during the in-house confinement, so you may consider crating them for safety and comfort.

Special Considerations for Birds

• Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier.
• In cold weather, make certain you have a blanket over your pet?s cage. This may also help reduce the stress of traveling.
• In warm weather, carry a spray bottle to periodically moisten your bird?s feathers.
• Have recent photos available, and keep your bird?s leg bands on for identification.
• If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels that you can change frequently.
• Keep the carrier in as quiet an area as possible.
• It is particularly imperative that birds eat on a daily basis, so purchase a timed feeder. If you need to leave your bird unexpectedly, the feeder will ensure his daily feeding schedule.
• Items to keep on hand: Catch net, heavy towel, blanket or sheet to cover cage, cage liner.

Special Considerations for Reptiles

• A snake may be transported in a pillowcase, but you should have permanent and secure housing for him when you reach a safe place.
• Take a sturdy bowl that is large for your pet to soak in. It?s also a good idea to bring along a heating pad or other warming device, such as a hot water bottle.
• Lizards can be transported like birds (see above).

Special Considerations for Small Animals

• Small animals, such as hamsters, gerbils, mice and guinea pigs, should be transported in secure carriers with bedding materials, food and food bowls.
• Items to keep on hand: Salt lick, extra water bottle, small hidebox or tube, a week?s worth of bedding.

TIPS:

• Store pictures and important documents on external hard drives. They are small and can be set in an emergency kit so you do not lose them. You can scan documents and put them on the external hard drives.

All information was used from Ready.Gov?& ASPCA.?All links go back to the site so you can read more and print documents. If you would like to add tips, leave a comment below or email them{savvyliving@yahoo.com} to me and I will add them!

Source: http://savvy-living.com/emergency-preparedness-you-pets/

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