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Return to the Fanwood
CERT Homepage
Make a Disaster Plan
Consider developing a disaster plan with your household
members to prepare for what to do, how to find each other, and how to
communicate in an emergency.
 | Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify three
places to meet: one right outside your home (the nearest fire hydrant is a
good spot), another outside your immediate neighborhood, such as a library,
community center, or place of worship and finally a third location out of
state (relative's home, hotel/motel off a major highway, etc.).
| Identify all possible exit routes from your home and neighborhood,
especially local roads that won't be mentioned on the radio as escape routes.
| If you work in NYC, identify alternate routes of transportation out of the
city - which may include having an alternate meeting spot (like a 24 hour
diner near the Hudson River) where your family can meet you. |
| Designate an out-of-state friend or relative that household members can
call if separated during a disaster. If our local phone circuits are busy,
long-distance calls may be easier to make. This out-of-state contact can
help you communication with others. Always keep some spare change available
because you may have better luck with pay telephones than with your cell
phone, in the event of an emergency.
| Account for everybody's needs, especially seniors, people with
disabilities, and non-English speakers. Make sure to include copies of
prescriptions (including eyeglass and contact lenses) with your "go"
bag.
| Ensure that household members have a copy of your household disaster plan
and emergency contact information to keep in their wallets, briefcases and
backpacks.
| Practice your plan with all household members. |
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Winterize
Your Car
Before winter sets in, have a mechanic check the
following items on your vehicle:
| Battery
| Antifreeze
| Windshield wipers and washer fluid (check for ice
melting capability)
| Ignition system
| Thermostat
| Lights (headlamps and hazard lights)
| Exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster
| Oil level (if necessary, replace oil with a winter oil
or SAE 10w/30 variety) |
| | | | | | |
Install good winter tires that have adequate tread.
All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However,
some jurisdictions require vehicles to be equipped with chains or snow tires
with studs.
Regardless of the season, it's a good idea to prepare for
an in-car emergency. Here's a list of items we you should have in your vehicle -
especially if you are traveling during bad weather that may strand you:
| Blankets, sleeping bags, extra newspapers for
insulation
| Plastic bags (for sanitation)
| Extra mittens, socks, scarves and hat, raingear and
extra clothes
| Drinking water and non-perishable food
| First Aid Kit |
| Flashlight (change batteries at least twice a year or
use a non-battery powered flashlight) |
| Whistle |
| Personal hygiene items: soap, feminine hygiene
products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc. |
| Child Care supplies and other special care items,
including a set of prescription medication that should also be changed often
based on expiration |
| Sack of sand or kitty litter for gaining traction
under wheels, small shovel |
| Set of tire chains or traction mats
| Working jack and lug wrench, spare tire
| Windshield scraper, broom
| Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
| Booster cables
| Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag, flares or
reflective triangles |
| | | | | | | | |
If You Must Drive a Vehicle
Whenever possible, avoid driving in a winter storm. If you must go out, it is
safer to take public transportation. However, if you must drive or get caught in
a storm, heed the following tips:
| Avoid traveling alone, but if you do so, let someone know your
destination, route and when you expect to arrive.
| Dress warmly. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers.
| Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road
conditions.
| Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible; these roadways
will be cleared first.
| Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions.
Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
| Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered
roads, but they do not stop quicker than other vehicles.
| If you skid, steer in the direction you want the car to go and straighten
the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction.
| Know your vehicle's braking system. Vehicles with antilock brakes require
a different braking technique than vehicles without antilock brakes in icy
or snowy conditions.
| Try to keep your vehicle's gas tank as full as possible. |
| | | | | | | |
IF YOU GET STUCK ON THE ROAD:
| Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety unless help is visible
within 100 yards. You could become disoriented in blowing snow.
| Display a trouble sign if you need help; tie a brightly colored cloth to
the antenna and raise the hood to alert rescuers.
| Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the
exhaust pipe clear of snow to avoid the risk of carbon
monoxide poisoning.
| Leave the overhead light on when the car is running so you can be seen.
| Move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
| Keep one window slightly open to let in fresh air. Use a window that is
opposite the direction the wind is blowing.
|
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Go Back to the top of this page
Set your clocks forward in the
spring and other things to do in March
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Set your clocks forward one hour
|
Change
the batteries in your smoke detectors
|
Change
the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors
|
Check your "Go"
Bag |
Check
your "Stay" Box |
| Check
timers, thermostats, etc. as well as the clock in your car. Many devices
have automatic time adjustments that will be off a week (they will move
the clock forward on the first Sunday in April instead of the second
Sunday in March), so devices like your computer, PDA, watches, etc. may
be an hour off for the time between the old change date and the new
one. |
Change the batteries in all of your smoke
detectors. Give them a quick vacuum if you can or use an air duster to
clean out any dust. If they are more than five years old, consider replacing
them completely. It's a good time to test/check all of your home fire
extinguishers, too. If you have electric ones, turn off the circuit breaker and
press the test button to make sure they work with the power off. Be sure to
turn the circuit breaker back on afterwards! |
Change
the batteries in all of your carbon monoxide detectors, too. Give
them a quick vacuum if you can or use an air duster to clean out any
dust. If they are more than five years old, consider replacing them
completely. If you have electric ones, turn off the circuit breaker and
press the test button to make sure they work with the power off. Be
sure to turn the circuit breaker back on afterwards!
|
Now
is a good time to check the expiration dates on items you have in your
"Go" bag such as food, water, prescription/non-prescription
medicine, etc. Also check your back up copies of prescriptions
(medicines, eye glasses, etc.) to make sure they are current. Rotate out
stock of items that have less than six months to expire. Add new items
to your "Go" bag. Click
here for a list of suggestions. This is also a great time to review
with family where your evacuation meeting place is located, if everyone
gets separated or has to evacuate from different locations to one
central spot. |
Now is also a good time to check the
expiration dates on items you have in your "Stay" box such as food,
water, batteries, prescription/non-prescription medicine, etc.
Rotate out stock of items that have less than six months to expire. Add new
items to your "Stay" box. Click
here for a list of suggestions. This is also a great time to check your home
and car for hazards and also do some
spring safety reviews of your home as well.
|
| Remind your
family and friends to also follow these safety checks. They can visit
our web site to find out all of the details, too. |
Go Back to the top of this page
Set your clocks backward in the
fall and other things to do in November
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Set your clocks back one hour
|
Change
the batteries in your smoke detectors
|
Change
the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors
|
Check your "Go"
Bag |
Check
your "Stay" Box |
| Check
timers, thermostats, etc. as well as the clock in your car. Many devices
have automatic time adjustments that will be off a week (they will move
the clock back on the last Sunday in October instead of the first Sunday
in November), so devices like your computer, PDA, watches, etc. may be
an hour off for the time between the old change date and the new one. |
Change the batteries in all of your smoke
detectors. Give them a quick vacuum if you can or use an air duster to
clean out any dust. If they are more than five years old, consider replacing
them completely. It's a good time to test/check all of your home fire
extinguishers, too. If you have electric ones, turn off the circuit breaker and
press the test button to make sure they work with the power off. Be sure to
turn the circuit breaker back on afterwards! |
Change
the batteries in all of your carbon monoxide detectors, too. Give
them a quick vacuum if you can or use an air duster to clean out any
dust. If they are more than five years old, consider replacing them
completely. If you have electric ones, turn off the circuit breaker and
press the test button to make sure they work with the power off. Be
sure to turn the circuit breaker back on afterwards!
|
Now
is a good time to check the expiration dates on items you have in your
"Go" bag such as food, water, prescription/non-prescription
medicine, etc. Also check your back up copies of prescriptions
(medicines, eye glasses, etc.) to make sure they are current. Rotate out
stock of items that have less than six months to expire. Add new items
to your "Go" bag. Click
here for a list of suggestions. This is also a great time to review
with family where your evacuation meeting place is located, if everyone
gets separated or has to evacuate from different locations to one
central spot. |
Now is also a good time to check the
expiration dates on items you have in your "Stay" box such as food,
water, batteries, prescription/non-prescription medicine, etc.
Rotate out stock of items that have less than six months to expire. Add new
items to your "Stay" box. Click
here for a list of suggestions. This is also a great time to check your home
and car for hazards and also do some
winterizing of your home as well.
|
| Remind your
family and friends to also follow these safety checks. They can visit
our web site to find out all of the details, too. |
|
