How to Prepare
Public health emergencies can come in many forms such as floods, tornadoes or even through man-made threats such as bio-terrorism. These public health emergencies may occur with little or no warning, which is why Linn County Public Health encourages every resident to prepare for the worst case scenario.
Gather emergency supplies
First, gather emergency supplies to account for the possibility of being without food, water or electricity for an extended amount of time. A good rule of thumb is to prepare for a scenario where you may be without a food or water supply for two weeks.
- Food should be non-perishable items consisting of various canned goods, dry mixes and other pantry items
- Have an ample supply of clean water for consumption, food preparation and hygiene. A normal active person needs at least 2 quarts (a half gallon) of water each day; however, it is best to store at least 1 gallon per person, per day to account for the various water needs during an emergency
- Remember to take into account the needs of your pets and service animals. Learn more about building a basic disaster supplies kit
Develop a communication plan
The second thing to do is develop a communication plan within your family. Many times family members may not be at the same location when an emergency occurs. In these situations, it is important to designate a primary and back-up location to meet. In addition, the family should designate an emergency contact who is located outside of the same neighborhood. In the event of an emergency, this person should be contacted to help coordinate a safe relocation of all family members and assist in communicating pertinent information
Be informed
Finally, be informed! This includes:
- Knowing how to shelter-in-place
- Understanding isolation and quarantine
- knowing how to cope during a disaster
