23Feb / 2023

Emergency Preparedness: Batteries Not Included

Stack of alkaline batteries size AAA with selective focus.

Batteries power many of the things we use and rely on every day. They might also be the only available power source in an emergency.

Being prepared to power your personal need devices—things like cellphones, medical devices, and assistive technologies—during a power outage is a step toward individual resilience.

Planning for power outages can include creating an emergency supply of batteries and other power sources. Here are some things to know about batteries that can help you create a supply that meets your needs.

Battery Types & Kinds

Contemporary batteries come in two primary types (primary and secondary) and kinds (alkaline and lithium).(1) Other kinds of batteries are available to power small and low-power devices.

Primary vs. Secondary

The defining difference between primary and secondary batteries is the number of uses you get from them.

You use a primary battery once and then throw it away.

Secondary typically cost more than primary batteries. However, the expense is offset by their longevity. You can recharge a secondary battery, which means fewer batteries to throw away.

Lithium vs. Alkaline

Lithium and alkaline batteries share similarities but there are also some important differences.

Both kinds of batteries come in standard sizes and can power a variety of household devices. The big difference between the two chemistries is their shelf life.

Lithium batteries store more energy for longer than alkaline batteries. Lithium batteries last about twice as long as alkaline batteries. Their shelf life makes them a great choice for your emergency supply.

Battery Sizes

Batteries come in different sizes. Here are some of the most common.

AA (or double A) batteries are the most popular size. They’re used in things like carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and television remotes.

AAA (or triple A) batteries are another popular size of battery. They are a smaller version of AA. AAA batteries are often used in devices like flashlights and thermometers.

C and D batteries are larger and weightier than AA and AAA batteries. They are often used to power heavy-duty flashlights, portable radios, and camping lanterns.

Button cell or coin style batteries are often used to power small items like car key fobs, hearing aids, garage door openers, and toys.

Batteries come in other less common sizes too. Some are used as a backup power source in electrical devices like home security systems and for electronic devices like cellphones.

Take inventory of all devices you’ll need to power during an emergency. They might include flashlights, cellphones, and medical devices. Then identify the kinds and sizes of power sources (e.g., batteries) you need to power those devices. For example, you may want to purchase extra button cell or coin style batteries if you wear a hearing aid.

Battery Storage & Disposal

How you store your batteries can affect their shelf life.

Keep batteries in their original packaging. Keeping batteries in their packaging will protect them from humidity and contact with other batteries. A battery can short-circuit if it comes in contact with another battery.
Separate batteries by age and type. Store new and used and different types of batteries in separate containers or plastic bags labeled with the date you bought them. It’s best to use batteries of the same age when powering a device.
Store batteries in a cool, dry place. Keeping batteries at room temperature or colder will increase lifespan and performance. Humidity can cause condensation, corrosion, and leakage. If you want to store your batteries in a fridge, keep them in a vapor-proof container. Let them acclimatize to room temperature for at least 24 hours before use.
Keep them away from metal objects. If batteries contact with metal, they could short-circuit. Store your batteries in a container made of plastic, glass, wood, or any material that’s not metal. You can also use a specialized battery storage box.(2)

Every year in the United States, millions of single-use and rechargeable batteries are bought, used, and recycled or thrown away. Dispose of batteries based on their type and chemistry. Some batteries can cause a risk to safety and health if mismanaged at the end of their lives.(3)

Battery types are identified by marking and labeling, not by the battery’s shape or the color of the label. Certain types should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins. Do not put button cell, coin, or lithium single-use batteries (check for the word “lithium” marked on the battery) in the trash or recycling bin. Instead, find a recycling location near you:

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website for more information on what to do with used household batteries.

Resources

Public Health Matters: Plan Ahead with Emergency Power Sources
Consumer Guide to Battery Recycling (DOE)

References

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

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04Jan / 2023

Resolve to Be Ready, Part II

A calendar with the year 2023 circled in red marker.

January is the time many of us make resolutions for the new year. Sometimes resolutions feel too big and long drawn out. As a result, our motivation to see them through can peter out before the end of the year.

Last year, we suggested 12 micro-resolutions to help you prepare your health for emergencies. Here are a dozen more ways to resolve to be ready this year.

January

Be prepared to prevent data loss. Data loss happens more often than you might think.

This month’s micro-resolution is to back up your important files. These include medical records, financial documents, family photos, and emails. Save at least one extra copy of your files to an external storage device or the cloud. This ensures you can still access the information if the original is lost, damaged, or destroyed.

February

February is National Canned Food Month. Canned goods are an emergency preparedness staple. And for good reason. They are reasonably affordable, require little to no preparation, and have a long shelf life.

As often as people buy and cook with canned goods, some can find food labels confusing. This month’s micro-resolution is to improve your food label literacy. One way to do that is to get the FoodKeeper app to help you maximize the freshness and quality of the items in your emergency food supply.

March

Severe weather, including tornadoes, can happen at any time of year. They are, however, more likely to happen in most places during the spring months(1)

This month’s micro-resolution is to take a SKYWARN® Storm Spotter Program class. You’ll learn:

Basics of thunderstorm development
Fundamentals of storm structure
Identifying potential severe weather features
Information to report
How to report information
Basic severe weather safety

Classes are free and open to the public.

Storm spotters are volunteers. They help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

April

April is National Financial Literacy Month.

Developing a habit of putting money aside—even if it is a small amount—is the easiest way to develop an emergency fund and build financial resiliency. Without savings, the financial shock of an emergency could affect you, your family, and your community.

This month’s micro-resolution is to download and fill out the “Your Disaster Checklist” (available in multiple languages). Use it to help you keep track of account numbers, valuables, medical information, and more.

May

May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day. Effective handwashing is a practical skill that you can easily learn, teach to others, and use every day to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.

This month’s micro-resolution is for parents and caretakers. Teach the children in your care when and how to wash their hands.

June

June is Pet Preparedness Month. It’s also the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. What better time of year to practice evacuating with your pet:

Train your pets to get in and stay in their carriers by making it a comfortable place.
Take your pets for rides in a car like one you would evacuate in.
Know where your pet might hide when stressed or scared. Practice catching your pet, if needed.

Have your entire family practice evacuating with your pets so everyone knows what to take, where to find the pets, and where to meet.

July

Most locations in the contiguous United States will experience their hottest day of the year between July 15-31.(2) Hot weather—regardless of when it happens and how long it lasts—can cause heat-related illness.

This month’s micro-resolution is to learn the symptoms of heat-related illness what to do if someone shows signs of heat stroke, exhaustion, or cramps.

August

August 20 is National Radio Day. Radio is one of many ways you can stay informed before, during, and after an emergency. Other ways include local television, social media, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).

WEAs look like text messages. They are designed to get your attention with a unique sound and vibration repeated twice. This month’s micro-resolution is to check the settings on your mobile device to make sure you are receiving WEAs.

September

September is not just National Preparedness Month. It is also National Self-Care Awareness Month. Emergencies, including disease outbreaks and natural disasters, can cause increased stress. You and others might feel fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions. It’s important to take care of your family and friends, but it should be balanced with care for yourself.

This month’s micro-resolution is to find one small way each day to care for yourself. Yours might include:

connecting with friends and family. Talking with people you trust about your feelings and concerns can relieve stress.
showing kindness to others. According to researchers, helping others release hormones that boost your mood and wellbeing
practicing relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises. Relaxation techniques can help slow your breathing, lower blood pressure, and reduce muscle tension and stress.

October

October is Health Literacy Month. People need information they can find, understand, and use to make the best decisions for their health every day. The same is true during an emergency when there’s usually an increase in the amount of information and speed at which it comes out.

One thing you can do to improve your health literacy is to ask questions of healthcare professionals. For example, your pharmacist is trained to help you manage and improve your health every day. They can give you patient-centered answers to questions on many topics, including emergency preparedness. Ask your pharmacist these questions the next time you visit the pharmacy.

November

Winter is coming. It may arrive in some parts of the country before the month end.

This month’s micro-resolution is to prepare your car for winter. Now is a good time to equip your vehicle with a roadside emergency kit. Winterize your ride with the following items:

Food and water
Ice scraper and a folding shovel
A flashlight and batteries
Car and portable chargers for your cellphone
First-aid supplies
Winter clothes, blankets, and sleeping bags
Road flares
Jumper cables

December

December is Hi Neighbor Month. Neighbors can be an important source of assistance in the hours, days, and weeks after an emergency. Because they live close—maybe even next door—neighbors might be your first and best option for help after a tornado or during a power outage.

This month’s micro-resolution is to find a way to get involved with your neighbors. Ways to get involved include

offering to help your neighbors, especially people who are older, live alone or with a disability, or rely on electricity-dependent equipment, prepare for emergencies.
involving trusted neighbors in your emergency action planning.
joining an organization active in disaster, such as your local Medical Reserve Corps Unit or Community Emergency Response Team.

Resources

Public Health Matters: Resolve to Be Ready
Resolve to be Ready Social Media Toolkit (FEMA)

References

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

15Nov / 2022

Alzheimer’s & Public Health Emergencies

A caregiver talking to and consoling an older adult.

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and is a progressive disease that begins with mild memory loss and possibly the loss of the ability to carry a conversation and respond to the environment. It involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, reasoning, and language.(1)

People living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can face unique challenges during emergencies. These challenges can put them at increased risk for injury and wandering. Planning ahead is important.(2)

Gather Supplies

Emergencies can leave caregivers and those they care for without access to important supplies. Caregivers can take steps and precautions to prepare for an emergency by gathering supplies. Consider the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s and store supplies in a watertight container(3). Some items to consider include:

Incontinence undergarments, wipes, and lotions
Pillow, toy, or something the person can hold on to
Favorite snacks and high-nutrient drinks
Important contact info for doctors
Copies of important paperwork
Recent photos of the person you are caring for

Having an emergency kit with essential supplies can help caregivers be ready in an emergency. Make sure that those helping you take care of the person with Alzheimer’s know where to find the emergency supplies and how to respond to an emergency.

Build a Support Network

Currently, many people living with Alzheimer’s disease are cared for at home by family members.(1) Caregiving takes a network of family, friends, and doctors who are willing to help in case of emergencies. To build your support network you can do the following(3,4):

Identify specific neighbors or nearby family and friends who would be willing to help in a crisis.
Make a plan of action with them should the person with Alzheimer’s be unattended during a crisis.
Tell neighbors about the person’s specific disabilities, including the inability to follow complex instructions, memory loss, impaired judgment, disorientation, and confusion.
Give examples of simple one-step instructions that the person may be able to follow
Choose a contact person who will check on you during a disaster and decide how you will communicate with each other (for instance, by telephone or knocking on doors).
Create a list of contact information for family members and friends. Leave a copy by your phone(s) and include one with your emergency supplies.

Support networks can help caregivers have a plan in case they are not able to assist the person in their care. Having these relationships among family, friends, and doctors can ease the burden of worry in case of an emergency.

Prepare for Wandering

Alzheimer’s disease can make it hard for a person to recognize familiar places and faces and can lead to wandering or becoming lost or confused about where they are.(5)

Emergencies can lead to a change in routine when a person must evacuate to a safer place. Trying to keep their routines and reassuring them they are safe can help during an emergency and keep them from wandering.(6)

It is important to stay with a person with Alzheimer’s during an emergency, but separation can still happen. Here are some tips to help you prevent wandering during an emergency or evacuation:(7)

Make sure the person with Alzheimer’s wears an ID bracelet or is enrolled in the MedicAlert Wandering Support Program.
Do not leave the person alone. Even those who aren’t prone to wandering away may do so in unfamiliar environments or situations.
If evacuating, help manage the change in environment by bringing a pillow and blanket or other comforting items they can hold onto.
When at a shelter, try to stay away from exits and choose a quiet corner.
When appropriate, share the diagnosis with others, such as hotel or shelter staff, family members, and airline attendants, so they can better assist.
Try to stay together or with a group; it only takes a moment to get lost. Do not leave the person living with dementia alone.
Do your best to remain calm, as this may help reduce anxiety or confusion.

Have your network of friends, family members, and doctors know the plan in case of an emergency and you are unreachable. These tips can help you prepare yourself and the person in your care for disasters and changes in routine.

Resources

References

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

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08Sep / 2022

Parents & Teachers: Helping Children Cope with Emergencies

Kids stand in line waiting to board a school bus.

Public health emergencies affect millions of children worldwide each year. These emergencies include natural and man-made disasters.

It is difficult to predict how some children will respond to emergencies or the trauma of losing their homes or being separated from school, family, and friends. These events can cause stress and anxiety in children.

Because parents, teachers, and other adults see children in different situations, they should share information about how each child is coping after a traumatic event. Children may have strong emotions right away, or they may not show signs of difficulty until much later. Knowing how to help children cope after an emergency can help them heal and feel safe and healthy again.

Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Children react to what they see from the adults around them. Getting upset or anxious during an emergency is common. When parents and caregivers manage these emotions and deal with a disaster calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. The common reactions to distress will fade over time for most children. These include

Infants to 2 years of age
- Infants may become crankier. They may cry more than usual or want to be held and cuddled more.
3 to 6 years of age
- Preschool- and kindergarten-age children may return to behaviors they have outgrown such as toileting accidents, bed-wetting, or being frightened when separated from their parents/caregivers.
- They may also have tantrums or a hard time sleeping.
7 to 10 years of age
- Older children may feel sad, mad, or afraid the event will happen again.
- Peers may share false information; however, parents or caregivers can correct the misinformation.
- Older children may focus on the details of the event and want to talk about it all the time or not want to talk about it at all. They may have trouble concentrating.
Preteens and teenagers
- Some preteens and teenagers respond to trauma by acting out. This could include reckless driving and alcohol or drug use.
- Others may become afraid to leave the home. They may cut back on time spent with friends. They can feel overwhelmed by their intense emotions and feel unable to talk about them. Their emotions may lead to increased arguing and even fighting with siblings and parents/caregivers or other adults.
Children and adults with special needs (of any age)
- Children and adults with special needs may need extra words of reassurance, more explanations about the event, and more comfort and assistance.
- Children and adults with physical, emotional, or intellectual limitations may have stronger reactions to a threatened or actual disaster. They might have more intense distress, worry, or anger than children and adults without special needs because they have less control over their day-to-day well-being than other people.

If children continue to be very upset, or if their reactions impact their schoolwork or relationships, parents may want to talk to a professional or have their children talk to someone who specializes in children’s emotional needs.

Tips for Teachers

As a teacher, you help to keep schools safe and support children and their families. If your students experience an emergency or disaster, there are steps you can take to help them cope and recover.

Children react to what they see from the adults around them. Getting upset or anxious during an emergency is common. When teachers manage these emotions and deal with a disaster calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their students.

To help students cope and continue to support their recovery from a disaster,

Talk to students about what happened in a way they can understand. Keep it simple and appropriate for their age. (Learn more about common reactions by age range.)
Provide students with opportunities to talk about what they went through or what they think about it. Encourage them to share concerns and ask questions.
Children who were directly exposed to a disaster can become upset again. Behavior changes resulting from the event may last a long time and can worsen or return if these children see or hear reminders of what happened. Be aware this could happen and know what resources are available at your school for children and families, should you need to report your concerns.

After a disaster, you may also struggle with severe post-traumatic symptoms and personal losses. This might make you hesitant to engage in any kind of post-disaster discussions with children. In this case, you should take care of yourself first and seek help from a professional.

Call or text the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Hotline at 1-800-985-5990. People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990. Seek other trusted adults to connect with children during the emergency.

Resources

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

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26Aug / 2022

Water Safety & Emergency Preparedness

woman carrying jugs

August is National Water Quality Month

The United States has one of the safest and most reliable drinking water systems in the world. However, emergencies, such as natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, and droughts) and man-made disasters (e.g., chemical spills), can damage water infrastructure and/or contaminate water supplies.

Safe drinking water is essential to the health and wellbeing of communities. Every year, about 7.2 million people get sick in the U.S. from diseases spread through water. Knowing how to ensure your access to safe water during & after emergencies can protect you from getting sick.

Ensuring Access to Safe Water

Depending on the emergency, your water may be safe to use for personal hygiene and handwashing, but unsafe for drinking and cooking. Or it could be unsafe to use for any reason.

Authorities use drinking water advisories to inform communities about public health threats related to drinking water. Advisories are designed to inform consumers about the situation and provide recommendations on what to do. Advisories usually include one of these warnings: Boil Water Advisory, Do Not Drink Advisory, and Do Not Use Advisory.

If tap water is unavailable or unsafe to drink or use after an emergency, it’s important to know how to make your water safe and where to find alternative water sources inside your home.

Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable source of water in an emergency. If bottled water is unavailable, you can make your water safe through boiling, disinfection, filtration, or ultraviolet light.

You may also consider exploring alternative sources of safe water. Water sources can be inside your home (e.g., liquid from canned fruits and vegetables)— or outside your home. Learn about places where you might find sources of water that are safe to use.

Creating an Emergency Water Supply

It’s important to develop a plan to ensure access to clean drinking water at home, the office, the school, or other places where a water-related emergency may occur.

Storing unopened commercially bottled water is one of the most reliable and least expensive sources of water in an emergency. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days for drinking and sanitation. Try to store a two-week supply if possible.

CDC recommends that you keep in mind the following:

Your local weather/climate: Consider storing more water during summer or if you live in a drought-prone area.
Special health needs

Set a reminder to replace store-bought water according to their expiration date and bottles of water appropriately bottled at home every 6 months.

Keep a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water, if necessary. The label should say it contains between 5% and 9% of sodium hypochlorite.

Considerations for At-Risk Populations

Consider people’s specific health needs and the conditions in the places where they live when communicating about water preparedness.

Access to and use of safe treated water is often influenced by geographical location and/or socioeconomic status. People living near contaminated sources of water (e.g., aging infrastructure, rural, tribal, immigrant, or refugee communities) may face increased exposure to unsafe drinking water.

Certain populations, including infants and children, people with certain medical conditions, pregnant people, and older adults are at a higher risk of suffering from health issues because of the lack of access to safe water.

Infants and young children have unique feeding and hygiene needs during an emergency:

- Infant formula feeding requires safe water to prepare the formula and cleaning supplies to clean bottles, nipples, and other parts. Find more information and resources for emergency preparedness and response personnel, families, and the public to ensure that children are fed safely during an emergency: Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Toolkit | Nutrition | CDC.
- It’s always important to change diapers in a safe, germ-free way, but an emergency can make this difficult. CDC offers guidelines and checklists to help parents, childcare providers, emergency responders, and others learn how to prevent the spread of germs while changing diapers during emergencies.
Schools, day-care centers, and camps for children can be at risk for outbreaks during an emergency. CDC has available information to help state and local health departments respond to suspected waterborne outbreaks.
People who are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system because of a medical condition or medical treatment may be more susceptible to getting sick.
Adults aged 65 and older are at increased risk of infection and disease from harmful germs because of many factors, including reduced immunity, existing chronic illness, and institutional exposure (e.g., exposures at hospitals and nursing homes). Visit CDC’s Promoting Health for Older Adults to learn about this topic.

Similarly, people with limited access to safe water in their homes, grocery stores, or the means to travel to and haul water may find it difficult or even impossible to prepare a home water supply.

Emergency preparedness authorities should account for their communities’ specific needs when developing response plans. CDC offers customizable and printable tools and templates, which include checklists, fact sheets, and press releases that can be adapted to the needs of each community.

Resources

CDC – Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
CDC – Plan Ahead
CDC- Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene-related Emergencies & and Outbreaks
CDC – Emergency Water Supply Planning Guide for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities | Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene-related Emergencies & and Outbreaks | Healthy Water
EPA – Water Utility Response
EPA – Develop messages for water emergencies (EPA)
EPA – Ground Water and Drinking Water
EPA – Report on the environment: drinking water. Available at: https://cfpub.epa.gov
Postma J, Butterfield P, Odom-Maryon T, et al. Rural children’s exposure to well water contaminants: implications in light of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recent policy statement. J Am Acad. Nurse Pract. 2011;23:258–265
APHA- Public Health Policy- Drinking Water & Public Health in the US
Ready.gov – Water

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22Jul / 2022

Be Prepared to be Away During an Emergency

Kids hugging their mom before heading off to their first day of school.

July 24 is National Parents Day

Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time, including when you’re not with your children and pets. It’s a scary thought. But you can take steps to protect them when you’re not around to do it yourself.

Camp & Childcare Parents

On any given weekday during the school year, an estimated 69 million children are in school and childcare.(1) During summer, some of those same children are in camps and childcare.

Parents, guardians, and other caregivers want to know their children are safe when they’re away from home. Camp and childcare providers play an important role in giving parents and guardians peace of mind. They should have family reunification plans and hold regular drills to help children and staff practice staying safe in the event of an emergency.

In addition, here are some ways you can prepare for an emergency that happens when you are not with your child.

Keep your contact information updated. Make sure your child’s camp or childcare knows how to reach you.
Send your child to camp or childcare with an updated Ready Wrigley Backpack Emergency Card.
If your child has a special health condition, such as a blood disorder, make sure staff know what signs to look for in your child that might signal a health problem and the procedure to ensure appropriate care.
Provide your child’s camp or childcare with any necessary personal needs, prescriptions, copies of important paperwork, and medical supplies and devices. Everyone with asthma needs his or her own asthma action plan. Provide staff with a copy of your child’s asthma action plan and instructions on how to use his or her inhaler.

Knowing camp or childcare providers have an emergency plan and the supplies they need to care for your child can help you feel better about leaving them in the care of others.

Pet Parents

Pets are family, too. It’s natural for pet parents to feel anxious about leaving their pet in the care of someone else, such as a pet sitter or kennel, or if you have someone nearby who can check in on them. Having someone who can check up on your pet if they are not somewhere safe can give you peace of mind.

Here are suggested steps you can take to help keep your pets healthy and safe if an emergency happens while you’re away.(2)

Make sure your pet has plenty of food. Write out feeding instructions, including portion size and other special considerations, such as the feeding order of multiple pets.
Check that your pet has enough medicine. Write out instructions for giving prescription medicines and where they’re kept. Keep medicines up and away from children and pets.
Write out your itinerary and contact information, including your cell phone number and the name and phone number of where you’re going.
Leave contact information for your veterinarian and one or two people you trust to make decisions in case you can’t be reached. Be sure to ask those people before you do this. Contact your veterinarian’s office to let them know you have a pet sitter.
Leave the pet sitter with copies of important paperwork, including a list of vaccinations and dates received.
Microchip your pet.
Make sure your pet wears collars and tags with up-to-date contact information and other identification.
Keep your pet’s carrier or crate near the exit. Tell the sitter where your pet might hide when it feels stressed or scared.
Prepare a pet emergency kit, including first-aid supplies and detailed instructions on how to use it.
Leave instructions about your home, such as garage door codes, utility shutoff instructions, and your neighbor’s names and phone numbers.

Prepping your pet sitter or a person you trust to check in on your pet can help ensure that your pet gets the best possible care when you’re away.

Reuniting After an Emergency

Separation from one’s family during or after an emergency can have mental and physical effects on everyone involved, including parents and guardians, children, and pets.

Reunification is the process of returning children and pets to their families as quickly as possible after an emergency. The faster reunification happens after an emergency, the better.

Learn more about reuniting with loved ones after an emergency.

References

Resources

30Jun / 2022

3 Uses for ZIP Codes to Stay Informed

A person takes mail from mailbox.

July 1 is U.S. ZIP Code Day.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS)—then called the U.S. Post Office Department—introduced the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code in 1963. USPS’ purpose was to facilitate the automatic sorting of mail and reduce the number of steps a piece of mail would go through to reach a recipient.(1)

Since then, USPS has created and deleted ZIP codes as needed. It expanded ZIP codes from 5 digits to 9 and then to 11.(1)

The meanings and utility of ZIP codes have changed too. Today, they have impact implications and uses beyond moving mail.

Your ZIP code can help you stay informed before and during emergencies, including disease outbreaks and natural disasters. Here are three examples of the kinds of information you can find using your ZIP code.

Your Hazards Risk

You can’t prepare for something if you don’t know it’s a threat. Part of staying informed is knowing about the hazards that can cause you harm and how to mitigate (or reduce) your risk. Your ZIP code can help you learn about hazards in your area.

The National Risk Index is an online mapping application from FEMA that is searchable by ZIP code. It was developed with local emergency planners in mind, but you too can use it to identify the hazards most likely to threaten your health and safety.

The Index uses data for natural hazards and community risk factors to develop a “baseline relative risk measurement” for each county and census area. It analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience to determine a community’s potential for negative impacts resulting from 18 natural hazards.(2) Hazards include earthquakes, heat waves, hurricanes, and wildfires.

Learn more about how the Index calculates risk.

The Nearest Vaccine Provider

As with other diseases, you are protected best from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccine doses and boosters.(3)

Staying up to date means getting all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you. CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, when eligible.(3)

COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost.(4) Use your ZIP code to find COVID-19 vaccines and boosters near you. You can also text your ZIP code to 438829 for location information.

You can also use your ZIP code to find the nearest Test to Treat sites. There are hundreds of locations nationwide where you can

get tested or bring your test results,
get a prescription from an on-site healthcare provider if you are at high risk of getting very sick, and
fill your prescription for an oral COVID-19 treatment.(5)

Learn more about the Test to Treat initiative, including what to bring with you when you go.

Your Local Forecast

The right message at the right time from the right person can save lives in times of crisis. Having multiple ways to receive those messages, including emergency alerts, can help you stay healthy and safe during an emergency.

Some of the most important kinds of emergency alerts are hazardous weather advisories, watches, and warnings. They are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) when hazardous weather is happening, about to happen, or likely to happen.

There are two ways you can use your ZIP code to stay informed of weather advisories, watches, and warnings where you live:

Enter your ZIP code on the NWS website to see a localized weather forecast.
Search for your local NWS Weather Forecast Office on social media.

Take both actions to improve your odds of receiving the right message from the right source in enough time to take action.

Visit the Prepare Your Health website for more tips on how to stay informed before and during an emergency.

Resources

Look Up a ZIP Code

References

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15Jun / 2022

Prep Your Health to Evacuate

A line of vehicles parked along the side of a road at night. A wildfire burns in the distance.

June is a busy time of year for emergency preparedness and response.

June marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. It’s also wildfire season.

Hurricanes and wildfires are common causes of evacuations. Both are happening more often and with greater intensity.(1) Annual increases in the number of strong hurricanes and large wildfires likely mean more people will face these threats.

In 2017, more than 8 million people across the country were affected by evacuation orders because of flooding, wildfires, and hurricanes. That includes an estimated 6.8 million residents of Florida who were under evacuation orders in response to Hurricane Irma. It was one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.

Don’t get caught unprepared for an evacuation order. Learn what you can do now to prepare for evacuations and mitigate some of the stress of having to relocate.

Know Your Zone

Different communities plan for evacuations in different ways. It’s important to know the plans and procedures where you live.

Emergency planners in many states and localities subdivide their jurisdictions into numbered or lettered evacuation zones. The City of Ashland, Oregon, for example, is divided into 10 zones. City officials use numbered zones to manage evacuations.(2)

Residents of Ashland are encouraged to know their zone before an evacuation. The city set up an interactive evacuation map where residents can learn their zone by searching their addresses.

Contact your local public safety or emergency management agency to learn how decisions about evacuations are made where you live.

Find the emergency management agency for your state or territory using the free search tool on USA.gov.

Learn the Alerts

It’s as important that you know what to do when you are notified to take protective action, such as evacuating. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts. They might include watching local television, listening to local radio, following trusted sources on social media, and signing up to receive emergency alerts by phone call or text.

Many local governments across the country—primarily in areas at high risk for wildfire—have adopted the Ready. Set. Go! (RSG) program. RSG was developed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs as a way to educate about wildland fire risk, promote wildfire preparedness, and communicate in plain language what to do in the event of a fire.

As the name suggests, there are three steps to RSG.

Ready means be prepared. People are asked to gather emergency supplies, make an emergency action plan, sign up for emergency notifications, and stay informed of local hazards.
Set is a warning to get organized because of significant danger in the area. People under “set” status should prepare to evacuate. They should pack “go kits” and consider relocating—voluntarily—to a safer location.
Go! is the signal to evacuate immediately to a designated shelter or someplace in a safer area. Find out how you can protect yourself and others from COVID-19 when evacuating to a public shelter or the home of friends or family.

How ever your local officials communicate an evacuation, don’t hesitate to leave if given the order. Follow instructions on where to go and how to get there. Your normal route out of your neighborhood may not be the safest during an emergency.

Make An Evacuation Plan

Your emergency care plan is more than a list of names and phone numbers. It’s more accurate to think of it as a user guide for how to stay healthy, informed, and connected during an emergency.

An emergency action plan should include:

phone numbers for your physician, pediatrician, pharmacist, counselor, and veterinarian.
copies of current personal care plans (e.g., an asthma action plan, a food allergy and anaphylaxis care plan, and an emergency care plan for children and youth with special healthcare needs).
a copy of the family reunification plans for your child’s school or daycare.(3)

To help you plan for an evacuation, your emergency action plan might also include a MyEvacuation Plan checklist. This evacuation planning tool guides you through actions you can take to prepare for an evacuation, such as:

creating “go bags” for each member of your household.
getting an emergency refill on your prescription medicines (if eligible and where available).
finding a place where you and your pet can safely stay in an evacuation.
having multiple ways to receive evacuation orders and instructions. You will likely get the order to evacuate from local police, fire, or other local officials on the radio, television, social media, and/or by text alert.

Visit the Prep Your Health website for more tips on how you can plan ahead for emergencies.

Emergency Response Planning

People experience disasters differently. Some are at higher risk of impacts because of their economic status, geography, disability status, etc.

The COVID-19 pandemic and other recent emergencies have brought inequities to the forefront of public health. State and local emergency planners must engage with their communities if they are to understand the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play and their effects on emergency preparedness and response.

People with lower incomes often live in places that lack the space to shelter in place or financial resources to evacuate.
People with disabilities may be unable to evacuate on their own. The percentage of people living with disabilities is highest in the South.(5) This includes the hurricane-prone states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
Some people may be unable to evacuate without help and less prepared to stay in their homes in the aftermath of a major disaster.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has planning guides to help emergency planners involve the whole community in preparedness.

Resources

References

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10May / 2022

Protecting Children Where They Learn, Play During Disaster Recovery

building inspector

Emergencies, including natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes, can happen at any time. They can have lasting impacts on communities. Places that were once safe might become unsafe. Homes, businesses, childcare facilities, schools, and other buildings can be damaged or destroyed.

After the initial response, communities begin a long recovery process. Buildings are rebuilt, infrastructure is repaired, and there is the appearance of recovery. What often goes overlooked is the need for recovery guidance that promotes environmental safety and prevents exposure to hazards.

A major concern in the aftermath of natural disasters is the safety of children. Children are at higher risk from environmental hazards because of their physical, developmental, and behavioral differences from adults. Environmental exposures, such as drinking contaminated water, can cause diseases and disrupt children’s development, learning, and behavior.

What is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry doing to help with disaster recovery?

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recognizes the importance of preparing to protect children from harmful exposures during disaster recovery. We also know that planning for these efforts can be a challenge.

ATSDR’s Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education (CSPECE) Disaster Recovery Supplement helps public and environmental health professionals reduce children’s environmental exposures where they learn and play. With this tool, professionals are better prepared to

identify potential hazards.
compile resources needed to address environmental hazards, such as flooding, that can affect locations where children spend time.
establish ways to reduce risk and help community members, particularly children, feel secure as they recover and return to pre-disaster routines.

Disaster Recovery Supplement in Action: Puerto Rico

From December 2019 through early 2020, the southwestern region of Puerto Rico experienced an earthquake swarm. It included 11 quakes that were magnitude five or greater.

Before this disaster, the staff members of Head Start, a federal government-sponsored early child care program, attended a training hosted by the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PR DOH) on the new Post-Disaster Self-Assessment Form (PDSAF).

The PDSAF provides resources for childcare facilities in case hazards are discovered. It also provides suggestions on how childcare staff can protect children from environmental hazards during the recovery process.

In response to the earthquakes, Head Start asked that PR DOH use the PDSAF to assess major health hazards that might prevent them from safely reopening facilities. PR DOH visited several Head Start program sites to conduct assessments using the PDSAF tool. They found that many Head Start facilities had cracks in the walls. Some facilities also had cracks in the supporting structures.

Through the PDSAF, it was clear that professional engineers should inspect the Head Start buildings before allowing children back inside. Officials conducted daily site evaluations to determine if they were fit to open while earthquakes and aftershocks continued to occur.

After a disaster, such as an earthquake, the environment and surrounding communities can change drastically. Some of these changes can lead to the migration of harmful substances, such as lead-contaminated debris from damaged buildings, which can cause environmental hazards that were not present previously. Changes like these can complicate decisions about whether it is safe to reopen an early care and education facility after a disaster.

The PDSAF is a useful tool in environmental recovery efforts. It helped Head Start and PR DOH determine whether it was safe to reopen facilities and programs after the disaster.

Returning to pre-disaster routines, such as attending school or childcare, is important to a community’s sense of well-being and disaster resiliency. With proper recovery guidance, we can prepare our communities for environmentally safe recovery.

Learn more about the CSPECE Disaster Recovery Supplement.

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06Apr / 2022

Good Cents: Prep Your Finances for Emergencies

A middle-aged man and woman discussing finances.

This post was written in collaboration with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in observance of National Financial Capability Month.

Emergencies—especially when multiple occur at the same time—can test your ability to financially respond and recover. For example, getting back to “normal” after a flood during a pandemic takes financial resources that many people may not have.(1)

Emergencies big and small often feel like they couldn’t happen at a worse time. There are things you can do to improve your financial preparedness that might make the unexpected a little bit less of a disaster.

Building an Emergency Fund

Developing a habit of putting money aside—even if it is a small amount—is the easiest way to develop an emergency fund and build financial resiliency.

Without savings, the financial shock of an emergency—however minor—could affect you, your family, and your community. Research suggests that people who struggle to recover from a financial shock have less savings to help protect against a future emergency. They may rely on credit cards or loans, which can lead to debt. They may also pull from other savings, like retirement funds, to cover these costs.(2)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers advice and resources on how to financially prepare for an emergency. Here are five strategies for building and maintaining an emergency fund:

Create a savings habit. Set some goals for yourself, create a system for making consistent contributions, monitor your progress, and don’t forget to celebrate your successes!
Manage your cash flow. Your cash flow is how your money comes in (your income) and what you spend. If you notice gaps where more money is going out, you can work with the people or organizations you owe money to (i.e., your creditors) to get extra time and avoid falling behind with your payments.
Save. Take opportunities to put away money whenever possible: a tax refund, or a holiday or birthday gift. Putting away some money, even small amounts, helps you create an emergency fund.
Make your saving automatic. Setting up automatic transfers from your checking account to a savings account is a great way to start saving. And you can always adjust the transfers if your situation changes.
Save through work. You might be able to split your paycheck between accounts if you have direct deposit set up. Work with your employer to see if there are options to put money aside without having to remember to do it.(3)

A low or no-cost way to prepare for the financial impact of a disaster is to collect important information related to your property and accounts. Download a copy of the “Your Disaster Checklist” (available in multiple languages) to help you keep track of account numbers, valuables, medical information, and more.

An additional set of challenges often affect individuals and populations with limited English proficiency or who are unfamiliar with the nuances of the U.S. financial system and culture. The American Savings Education Council, a coalition of private and public partners offers resources for communities about all aspects of financial security.

MyMoney.gov has information on how to rebuild your finances after a disaster. Call 1-800-FED-INFO to speak to a specialist in English or Spanish. They can answer your questions about federal agencies, programs, benefits, or services related to financial literacy and education.

Other resources include:

The National Disability Institute’s Financial Resiliency Center. It offers resources and assistance to help people experiencing disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Learn your financial well-being score. Answer 10 quick questions and learn steps you can take to improve your score.
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Financial Literacy Resource Directory offers information on government programs and financial literacy and education organizations.
The National Credit Union Association’s online Financial Literacy & Education Resource Center offers banking, savings, and educational resources.

Personal and Community Financial Resiliency

Natural disasters are happening with greater will greater frequency and severity. In 2021, there were 20 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters.(5)

Experts say the “whole community” must respond by increasing its preparedness, response, and recovery capacities.(6) Everyone has a role in making our communities and our nation more financially resilient.

Working together to address the causes of people’s and communities’ barriers to financial preparedness is essential to developing a stronger, more resilient, and healthier nation. Work with organizations to promote financial education in your community. Homeowner associations, community organizations, adult learning centers, social clubs, places of worship, and other members of the whole community have the potential to increase our resiliency.

Tailoring Financial Preparedness Strategies

The financial readiness needs of a community are closely related to the conditions where members live, play, work, and study and while some communities focus on mastering FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit, others may need to start first on increasing access to education and basic financial literacy.

Ultimately, it’s about individuals and communities owning their financial preparedness and building resilience. When they receive the support of their local authorities, our nation becomes more resilient and better prepared to expedite its financial recovery after disasters.

Resources:

References

Callout: What is an emergency fund?

An emergency fund is a cash reserve that’s specifically set aside for unplanned expenses or financial emergencies. Some common examples include car repairs, home repairs, medical bills, or a loss of income.

In general, emergency savings can be used for large or small unplanned bills or payments that are not part of your routine monthly expenses and spending.

Source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/an-essential-guide-to-building-an-emergency-fund/#anchor_what-is-an-emergency-fund

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Category Archives: Natural Disasters

Battery Types & Kinds

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January

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Gather Supplies

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Tips for Parents and Caregivers

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Ensuring Access to Safe Water

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Considerations for At-Risk Populations

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Camp & Childcare Parents

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Reuniting After an Emergency

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Your Hazards Risk

The Nearest Vaccine Provider

Your Local Forecast

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Know Your Zone

Learn the Alerts

Make An Evacuation Plan

Emergency Response Planning

Resources

References

What is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry doing to help with disaster recovery?

Disaster Recovery Supplement in Action: Puerto Rico

Building an Emergency Fund

Personal and Community Financial Resiliency

Tailoring Financial Preparedness Strategies

Resources:

References

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