Emergency Planning for Vacation
By Shaunda Rauch on June 26, 2013 from Emergency Services Blog
Its summertime! Kids are out of school, parents and adults are taking advantage of the warm weather and planning vacations locally and outside of their area. Some people live in areas where there is minimal risk of weather causing a major affect on the planning and excitement of the vacation, so when they move to other parts of the country or outside of the U.S., preparedness needs to be considered.
Vacationers must be aware of their surroundings and ensure proper precautions are made in emergency planning for their vacation. Below are helpful tips shared on the National Preparedness Coalition discussion board when preparing for vacation.
1. Have copies of your travel documents and passports available with you. Make electronic copies for back-up purposes.
2. Check weather for your vacation destination.
3. Consider purchasing travel insurance when traveling to areas with known risks such as the Caribbean during hurricane season. Make sure natural disasters are covered in the travel insurance.
4. Pack a kit of emergency supplies for your car. This kit should include (some items are seasonal, your kit should be updated to reflect the resources you might need):
• Jumper cables
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit and necessary medications in case you are away from home for a prolonged time
• Food items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars; canned fruit and a portable can opener
• Water for each person and pet in your car
• AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages
• Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
• Shovel
• Ice scraper
• Warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Also consider:
• A fully-charged cell phone and phone charger
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child
Be prepared for an emergency by keeping your gas tank full and if you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.
5. Heed the warning. Follow the lead of the residents when warning siren or advisories are made.
If an incident/event where to occurring while you are on the road traveling:
· If there is an explosion or other factor that makes it difficult to control the vehicle, pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake.
· If the emergency could impact the physical stability of the roadway, avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards.
· If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
· Listen to the radio for information and instructions as they become available.
For more preparedness tips, visit Ready.gov.
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