How to prepare for emergencies?

What to do if a Family Member is Stranded during a Disaster?

• If the disaster has caused damage, such as roads blocked by fallen trees or flooding, school children and family
  members working outside may be unable to return home, or you may lose communication with them. In such situations,
  don’t panic and call disaster management helpline No. 1077 or contact the local administration for help.

• Any post-disaster area will have potential hazards, so stay alert and move around carefully.

• If you had to evacuate your home but could not reach your chosen evacuation place or a local emergency shelter,
  you would need to find some shelter for your family.

• If you are stranded in your home, cannot reach a safe place and waiting for help, try to conserve your supplies
  of food, water and other important goods.

• Restrict adult rations but give children, the elderly and pregnant women normal supplies, if possible.

• If the disaster has shaken your home, clean up dangerous debris quickly, causing breaks and spills. Shattered
  glass, spilled flammable liquids, and bleaches are potentially dangerous.

• Call your insurance company’s emergency helpline as soon as possible. You will be advised on what to do.

• If immediate repairs are necessary, arrange for them to be carried out immediately. Keep the receipts to
  give to your insurers later.

• To corroborate insurance claims, take photographs or videos of the damage. Keep copies of all correspondence
  with insurers.

• Help your family remain positive and keep them focused on survival. Keep busy and try to work together as
  a team, ensuring you discuss all plans.

How to Prepare in Advance for any Emergency/Disaster?

• Find out which disasters could occur in your area.

• Learn how to prepare for each disaster. Find out how you would be warned of an emergency.

• Know evacuation routes and secure places in your neighbourhood/village.

• Prepare a household emergency plan that considers key hazards in your area.

• Discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other emergencies with your family and neighbourhood.

• Find the safe spots in your home and the surroundings for each type of disaster.

• Show family members how to turn off the water, gas and electricity main connections in an emergency.

• Keep emergency telephone numbers handy and ensure all family members know it.

• Teach children how and when to call immediately for police (100), fire (101), ambulance (102),
  National Emergency number (112) and other important contact numbers.

• Know authentic sources (social media/application/TV-Radio stations) of weather updates
  and emergency information.

• Develop an emergency communication plan for the family. When disaster strikes, separation is a real
  possibility, so have a plan for getting back together.

• Develop an Escape Plan for your household.

• Decide on two emergency meeting places and be aware of shelters designated as safe places by local government
  authorities in your area.

• Learn about basic dos and don’ts for the disasters prevalent in your area.

• Learn basic first aid, CPR and emergency response.

Purifying Water

• If the water smells or has abnormal colour, particles, or taste, immediately report it to the local water supply
  department. Do not drink or use such water until it is treated and safe.

• If water supplies run low and the main water is contaminated, you will have to purify the water.

• If you see particles floating in water, strain it through paper towels, boil it, add purifying tablets, or
  disinfect it.

• The most common water purifying methods are boiling and using chlorine-based tablets. However, advanced
  tools and technologies must be used in severe water contamination.

• After consulting experts, you can use regular household bleach to disinfect water. However, a greater
  percentage is dangerous. Hence, use bleach carefully.

What to Do When disaster warnings are issued?

• Gather emergency supplies, including your prescription medicines, non-perishable food and water

• Store at least 5 litres of water daily for each person and each pet.

• Store at least a three-day supply of water and food. In severe weather, utilities and the water supply might
  be disrupted.

• Keep foods with a long storage life that require little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration. Avoid very
  salty or spicy food items.

• Meet the needs of babies and other family members regarding special diets.

• Keep mobile phone charged. Use SMS for emergency communications.

• Collect important documents, including Aadhar Card, Ration card and Voter ID cards, health/Vaccination
  record, etc and store them in a waterproof bag/container.

Basic Items which can Be included in Emergency Bag/Kit:

• Drinking water (packed and sealed)

• Dry, non-perishable food (e.g., biscuits)

• Battery-operated torch. Extra batteries.

• Candles and matches/lighter in a waterproof container.

• First aid box, essential medicines, face mask, hand sanitizer.

• Prescription medicines.

• Chlorine tablets (to purify water)

• Knife, scissors, whistle, duct tape, Paper and pencils, Battery operated radio.

• Mobile phone, charger, power bank.

• Emergency reference materials (e.g. first-aid book/its photocopy)

• Emergency plan, local map, contact numbers, details of family members.

• Important documents, extra cash/valuables.

• Extra set of vehicle keys, house keys.

• Personal aid, e.g. glasses

• Soaps, Sanitary pads, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels.

• Thick ropes and cords.

• Weather-appropriate dry clothes including undergarments, blankets.

• Safe, protective footwear.

• Add other essential items as per the disasters prevalent in your area.