Making time to prepare now can make a
big difference in keeping your family safe when disasters, such as wildfires,
massive snowstorms, floods or extended power outages, happen here, in Mesa
County. Take the time to communicate your emergency plan with your family.
Ask
yourself these questions:
  • Have you packed an emergency kit?
  • Have you talked about your family’s
    emergency plan – one that will still work if cell service fails?
  • Are you signed up for local emergency
    alerts?
  • Do you have CPR or first aid training?

Pack a
kit with:
  • Water – one gallon
    per person, per day for at least three days.
  • Food – easy-to-make
    and won’t spoil. Don’t forget to pack a manual can opener.
  • Flashlights, extra
    batteries, cell phones with chargers and a battery powered radio.
  • First aid kit, a
    seven-day medicine supply including prescription drugs, emergency blanket and
    toiletries.
  • Copies of important
    documents such as insurance cards, immunization records and emergency contact
    information.
  • Multipurpose tool,
    extra cash, map(s) of the area and an extra sets of keys.
  • Remember to include supplies for babies, pets, older
    individuals and those with special needs.

                                          
Keep in mind, these are all items you
need in your daily life, so make it part of your routine to rotate through them
now and then. Look at the expiration dates on the medications in your kit and
be sure to keep them up-to-date by using them as you need regularly. Learn
about storage life of dry foods here
and plan some meals using your supplies when their end of shelf life
approaches.
In the event of an emergency, skillsets
such as CPR and first aid training come in handy. Volunteer with the Mesa
County Medical
Reserve Corps
to gain experience with these skills. Information will also be
key during a disaster, so sign up now or update your profile for the Grand Junction Regional
Communication Center Emergency and Community Notification System
.

Don’t forget, emergency situations can
happen anywhere. Discuss these same topics with your boss and coworkers. Make
sure you know your safety plan, ahead of time.