Community Corner
Locals Encouraged to Prepare for Impending Hurricane Season
Residents should assemble a kit of emergency supplies now.
Hurricane season is here and the Monmouth County Freeholders are encouraging residents to prepare for storms and other emergencies before they actually hit.
“Many residents and businesses are still working to recover from Superstorm Sandy, but the next hurricane season is here,” Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “It is important that everyone be ready if another storm were to come our way.”
Sheriff Shaun Golden said residents should “prepare, plan and stay informed.”
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“The likelihood that you and your family will survive a nor’easter, hurricane or other emergency depends on the preparations that you make now,” he said.
Prepare – Assemble a kit of emergency supplies– Batteries, flashlight, radio, first-aid kit, medications, food and water to last three or more days, can opener, cooking tools, toiletries.
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Plan – Create an emergency plan– Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan a way to contact one another, such as enlisting the help of a third party in another state as a contact, and review what you will do in different situations.
Stay Informed– Listen to local radio and television for the latest information on storms and other emergencies. Review what warning sirens are used in your community to alert residents of major emergencies.
Residents should also consider preparing their finances and helping neighbors in emergencies, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County’s Sheriff’s Office and the County’s Office of Emergency Management said.
Financial preparedness– Consider your insurance and financial needs in the event of a disaster. Also, take time to prepare a household inventory. If an evacuation is necessary, be sure to have cash or credit cards at your disposal.
Consider joining the Citizen Corps– Join others in your community who are ready to provide critical support to first responders and to fellow residents during emergencies.
Training can also prove helpful in the event of an emergency, the news release said.
Citizen Emergency Response Team, or CERT, is a program that trains community members to provide volunteer support to local emergency responders during community incidents and disasters. For more information, contact the County OEM at 732-431-7400.
Medical Reserve Corps, or MRC, is also a community-based volunteer program that engages medical, public health and other civilian volunteers to strengthen public health and improve emergency preparedness and response. For more information, contact the County Health Department at 732-431-7456.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
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Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
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Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
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Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
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Flashlight and extra batteries
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First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
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Prescription medications and glasses
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Infant formula and diapers
Pet food and extra water for your pet
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
Cash or traveler's checks and change
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
Fire Extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
Paper and pencil
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Additional information about storm and disaster preparations is available on the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
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