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As 2007 becomes 2008, many Americans resolve to be more
healthy, to exercise or to quit smoking. The Southern
Nevada Health District urges everyone to adopt healthy
habits to ensure a better quality of life. In addition,
it encourages everyone to . . . ‘resolve to be ready,”
as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launches its
annual Ready Campaign for the fifth year.
The
health district’s Office of Public Health Preparedness,
which advises everyone to “make a plan . . . make a kit.
. . stay informed,” was created to develop plans to
manage health-related events and to mitigate their
affect on the community. In addition, the Southern
Nevada Health District works with other local government
agencies to develop emergency plans.
It
could take three days or longer for federal or state
assistance to reach the community. Family and
individual preparedness kits should include enough
supplies to sustain the entire family for a minimum of
three days. Some experts recommend that families have
enough supplies for up to three weeks.
A
large trashcan, a backpack or a suitcase are good
options to store the family’s preparedness kit. Keep
the storage container in an easily accessible
location. An emergency preparedness kit can be put
together over several months by adding just one or two
items to a grocery list. A calendar is available on the
health district’s website to help you develop an
emergency preparedness kit. Keep a smaller version of
your kit in every car.
The
family kit should include items that everyone enjoys,
such as specific food items or games as well as
accommodations for family members with special needs.
Don’t forget to provide for family pets. Items in the
kit should include food, water, a first aid kit, tools,
medications, sanitary supplies, infant formula and
diapers, copies of important documents, clothing and
bedding, and pet supplies.
Develop a plan and practice it. Every family member
should know specific meeting places in case you cannot
go home, an out-of-town contact to call, and how to use
an ABC-type of fire extinguisher. When the clocks are
changed in the spring and fall, review your emergency
preparedness kit and replace items that are close to
their expiration dates. Rotate items in and out of the
kit as needed.
Business owners and large employers should have plans in
place for business continuity and plans for the possible
interruption of government services such as sanitation
or electrical service. In addition, businesses should
identify key employees and their job duties, update sick
leave/medical leave policies, develop off-site work
solutions in case employees must work from home, and
develop communication plans to educate staff about the
company’s plans.
The
health district’s website,
www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org has information
available to assist families and individuals to develop
emergency plans.
Additional resources include
www.Ready.Gov, the American Red Cross, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Citizen Corps
and many others.
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