|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
From Terrorism to Hurricanes: Prepare Now Bruce Mandelblit What do terror attacks, natural disasters and health pandemics have in common? They all are potential threats to millions of lives and they are now part of our county's homeland security strategy. These threats are, unfortunately, all too real. From the just-foiled potential terror attacks on United Kingdom to United States commercial flights, to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2006 prediction for a more active than normal Atlantic hurricane season, to ominous warnings of a possible global flu outbreak, all prudent Americans must make the proper preparations to be ready for any type of disaster, either natural or manmade. Now may be good time to review some of the ideas expressed in a 12-page booklet produced by the Department of Homeland Security. "Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now" offers some very basic tips that you can implement right now to better prepare yourself and your family. EMERGENCY SUPPLIES. Just like having a working smoke detector in your home, having emergency supply kits will put the tools you may need at your fingertips. Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer.
Story Continues Below
While there are many things that might make you comfortable, think first about fresh water, food and clean air. Remember to include, and periodically rotate, medications you take every day such as insulin and heart medicine. Plan to store items in an easy-to-carry bag such as a shopping bag, backpack or duffle bag. Consider preparing two kits. In one, put everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to get away. EMERGENCY PLANNING. You should plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to access the situation, using common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Think about the places where your family spends time: school, work and other places that you frequent. Ask about their emergency plans. Find out how they will communicate with families during an emergency. If they do not have an emergency plan, consider helping develop one. SPECIFIC TERRORIST THREATS. It is important to remember that there are significant differences among potential terrorist threats (such as a biological threat, a chemical threat, a nuclear blast, and a so-called "dirty bomb") that will influence the decisions you make and the actions you take. By beginning a process of learning about these specific threats, you are preparing yourself to react in an emergency.
IN ALL CASES, REMAIN CALM. Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. Above all, stay calm, be patient and think before you act. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. If you have a working smoke detector, you understand that preparing makes sense. Get ready now. This is, of course, a very brief review of some of the ideas suggested in the booklet "Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now." For more information and details on these vital topics, go to www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY. Also, contact your local department of emergency management. A Quick Security Tip: Many of the suggestions in this Department of Homeland Security booklet may also apply to disastrous events other than terrorism. For instance, the millions of folks living in the destructive paths of recent major hurricanes can attest firsthand to the wisdom of being prepared for any type of disaster, be it either natural or manmade. My Final Thoughts: The possible threats facing the United States, such as terrorism, health pandemics and weather disasters, are, sadly, very real. Just as a family's likelihood of surviving a house fire depends partially on having a working smoke detector and a proper escape plan, the same is true of surviving any potential catastrophe. No matter how good our government agencies are in attempting to prevent any threats before they occur, we must take personal responsibility and do our part by at least taking the simple steps, as suggested by the Department of Homeland Security and other emergency management agencies, in planning for the unexpected. The first step in strengthening our national security starts with you and me.
(Note: If you manufacture or distribute any Security, Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Defense or Crime Prevention related products, please send information on your product line for possible future reference in this column to: CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.) Copyright 2006 by Bruce Mandelblit
"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com Magazine. Bruce welcomes your thoughts. His e-mail address is: CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com. Bruce is a nationally known security journalist, as well as a recently retired, highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer. Bruce writes Staying Safe, a weekly syndicated column covering the topics of security, safety and crime prevention. Bruce was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – for his public service. This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Print Page 
Forward Page 
|
| All Rights Reserved © 2012 NewsMax.Com |