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Keeping Safe - Prepare Your Household for Emergencies

After a disaster, you and your family should be prepared to be on your own for at least three days. In some emergencies, such as an influenza pandemic, you may need to prepare for a week or more. Emergency response teams will be very busy and may not be able to provide immediate care to all who need it. Learn how to prepare your household for emergencies.

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Resources

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  If the power goes out: ONLY use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents.
• Cooking When Power Is Off
  After a storm has knocked out electricity or gas lines, cooking meals can be a problem and can be hazardous if a few basic rules are not followed.
• Drinking Water Disinfection
  Use only water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking, making any prepared drink, or for brushing teeth.
• Emergency Supplies
  Government agencies will respond to community disasters, but citizens may be on their own for hours, even days, after disaster strikes. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least three days.
• Fire Preparedness
  The American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties urges families to prepare for and prevent a home fire.
• Flood Preparedness
  Flood Preparedness Fact Sheet, from Washington Military Department, Division of Emergency Management
• Floods
  Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters.
• Food and Water Safety
  Food may not be safe to eat during and after an emergency. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water.
• Generator Safety
  Incorrect generator use can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution and fire.
• Mudslides
  Landslides and mudflows usually strike without warning. The force of rocks, soil or other debris moving down a slope can devastate anything in its path.
• Power Outages
  Power outages can cause a number of safety concerns.
• Wash Your Hands
  After a disaster, staying clean can be hard to do. You may not have running water. But staying clean helps you stay healthy.
• Wind and Power Outages
  With strong winds and heavy rain expected to sweep through parts of the Puget Sound this fall and winter, the American Red Cross reminds people throughout the area to prepare for the possibility of power outages and wind damage.
• Windstorms
  Every fall and winter, windstorms cause extensive damage, including the loss of electricity throughout the Pacific Northwest. By taking action now, you can save lives and reduce the damage caused by windstorms and other weather-related hazards.
• Winter Storms
  Winter storms can range from moderate snow over a few hours to blizzard conditions with blinding, wind-driven snow or freezing rain that lasts several days. The time to prepare is before the snow falls or ice forms.