Hi all – summer is over and we’re well into Hurricane season. So far we’ve been lucky, let’s hope Mother Nature is good to us this year. 

September is National Preparedness Month – Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere without notice. Households, businesses and organizations should prepare in the event an emergency causes you to be self-reliant for three days without utilities, electricity, or water, without access to a supermarket or local services or maybe even without response from police, fire or rescue. Preparing can start with four important steps:

1.) Be informed about emergencies that could happen in your community, and
     identify sources of information in your community that will be helpful before,
     during and after an emergency.
2.) Make a plan for what to do in an emergency.
3.) Build an emergency supply kit.
4.) Get involved

Fairfield Home Inventory encourages our community to be better prepared and invites community members to join us in this effort.

We would also like to remind everyone that being prepared includes having a detailed Inventory of all your personal/business property and assets.  Know what you have and what it’s all worth by having a complete detailed Home/Business Inventory performed and having it stored somewhere other than your home – it’s part of being prepared!

You can never be too prepared for an emergency – keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own for at least five (5) days. If possible keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container.  Each family should have their own emergency supply kit put together to match your own individual needs. Take into consideration those in your household with disabilities, seniors, young children and pets – build your kit to match your situation and needs.

 Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay)

* Design a safe shelter, preferably an inside room with no window
* Lock all doors and windows
* Find your emergency supply kit (See below)
* Use plastic and tape to seal your safe shelter from the inside
* Have supplies ready
* Care for family members with special needs
* Care for pets
* Check for news updates using your battery operated or hand crank radio
  

Emergency Supply Kit (To Stay or Go)

* Water: one gallon per person per day plus extra for pets
* Food: non-perishable, ready-to-eat foods and manual can opener
* Food for pets
* Flashlight: hand crank model or battery operated with extra batteries
* Water treatment: iodine tablets or unscented chlorine bleach and an eyedropper
* Phone: wireless phone, fully charged with charger or extra battery. Also
  have a wire line phone to plug-in to phone jack in case you just lose power
* Documents: copies of important documents (insurance, photo ID) place items in a
  waterproof, portable container like a zip lock bag.
* Emergency communication card: list of local and out-of-state friends and family and
  their emergency contact information
* Personal items: soap, feminine products, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc…
* Whistle:  for signaling family and rescuers
* First aid kit: to treat minor family injuries
* Cash: be sure to carry a mix of small bill cash and credit cards
* Keys: an extra set for home and car
* Clothing: extra seasonal clothing for changing weather
* Matches: in a waterproof container
* Fire extinguisher: for protection against fire
* Tarp, tent, umbrella or poncho: in case of rain
* Tools: wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
* Meal kit: a set of compact cooking and eating utensils for preparing meals
* Paper and pencil: to write important information.

For more preparedness information contact your local, state and federal emergency management resources. Stay safe and enjoy the great Autumn weather!