What Members Can Do
• Know the location of your emergency supply kit (check the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org for a complete listing of what you should include), the amount of food supply on hand, and the location of insurance policies.
• Make sure we have your correct telephone number on file. If you need to update this phone number, please contact your local EMC office.
• Have a contingency plan in place for persons who depend on electricity. During a major storm, damage may be so widespread that it may be a lengthy process to restore power to all customers. Be sure battery operated back-up or some alternative measures are taken for those who are power dependent.
• Have nonperishable foods on hand that don’t need cooking–like canned fruit, powdered milk, peanut butter, bread and crackers. And don’t forget a manual can opener–otherwise it won’t be of much use!
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain a cold temperature. Each time the door is opened, a significant amount of refrigeration is lost.
• Have flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and extra batteries, too. If you depend on a well, fill bathtubs or other large containers for household use, like flushing commodes.
• Remember to charge your cell phone in case phone and power lines go out.
• Get a portable radio or TV with extra batteries for local information and a NOAA Weather Radio for weather warnings. A wind up or battery powered alarm clock might come in handy too. Cordless phones don’t work without power, so have at least one wired phone available.
• Fill your gas tank before a storm arrives, as gas pumps do not work if electricity is out. Automatic teller machines will also shut down if the power fails, so have cash on hand.
