Make preparations to keep you and your family safe during severe weather events.

With severe weather events occurring more frequently, now more than ever, it makes sense to be prepared. A prolonged power outage or another emergency means having enough food, water, and supplies to last at least a few days.

UCEMC wants to remind members of our community about the power of preparation. While you don’t have to achieve a “doomsday prepper” level of preparedness, you can take several practical steps to keep yourself and your family safe.

Even at a modest level, preparation can help reduce stress and anxiety and lessen the impact of an emergency event. We recommend starting with the basics.

Here are the general guidelines recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

• Assemble a grab-and-go disaster kit. Include nonperishable food, water (one gallon per person daily), diapers, batteries, flashlights, prescription medications, a first-aid kit, battery-powered radio, and phone chargers.
• Develop a plan for communicating with family and friends (i.e., via text, social media, third party, etc.).
• Ensure some extra cash is available; electronic card readers and machines may not work during a power outage.
• Store important documents (birth certificates, property deeds, etc.) in a safe place away from home (for example, a bank safe deposit box).
• Keep neighbors and coworkers apprised of your emergency plans.
• Fill your car with gas.
• Organize your supplies in an easily accessible location for the entire family.

Caring for vulnerable family members

If you have older family members or those with special needs, make sure they have enough medication and supplies for a few days. If they don’t live with you, arrange for a neighbor to check in on them. If a severe weather event is expected, consider having your relative stay with you if feasible; otherwise, call them daily. If you have an infant or young children, ensure you have plenty of baby formula, diapers, medication, and other supplies to weather an outage lasting several days or more.

Keeping four-legged family members safe

Planning during a prolonged outage for families with pets will help reduce worry and stress, especially if you need to make quick decisions in an emergency.

• Bring pets indoors at the first sign of a storm or other emergency. Pets can become disoriented and frightened during severe weather and may wander off during an emergency.
• Microchip your pet and ensure the contact information is up to date.
• Store pet medical records on a USB drive or in an easy-to-remember location.
• Create an emergency kit for pets (include shelf-safe food, bottled water, medications, and other supplies).

At UCEMC, we care about your safety. Planning for an emergency today can give you more confidence to deal with severe weather and potential outages in the future.