Community Unites for Emergency Preparedness Event

MAC members, guests, and neighbors gathered to gain important skills at the emergency preparedness workshops held by the Community Involvement Committee in coordination with the American Red Cross on Jan. 27.

Key takeaways were: wall. All these spaces are marked as “MAC Oversized Vehicle Parking.”

• Emergencies are inevitable, including earthquakes, storms, fires (inside and outside), floods, landslides, fallen trees, and fallen power lines.

• Plan for emergencies by preparing.

• Your best defense is working with your neighbors. Know and prepare with them.

• Pay attention to public warnings.

• Assemble necessary “to-go” items to last for at least three days (water, medications, batteries, etc.) for yourself, family, and pets. Keep them in an easily accessible place. Consider it like packing for an extended camping trip. Check the bag every six months.

• Memorize emergency contact numbers in case your phone’s memory is unavailable.

• Teach children about the dangers of fires, how to call 911, what the sound of a smoke alarm is, and how to respond. That includes how to open windows, where to meet if they are not home or need to leave the house, and how to stay away from all downed lines.

• If you are in a burning building, get out and stay out.

• Plan two escape routes for each room in the house.

• Practice. Practice. Practice.

• For more information, contact the American Red Cross for a copy of Prepare! A Resource Guide.