Posted on: Monday, May 28, 2007
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COMMENTARY
A moment's preparation could save lives
By Coralie Chun Matayoshi
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Preparedness can save lives, even given the ravages of storms like Iniki, which traumatized Kaua'i.
ADVERTISER LIBRARY PHOTO | 1992
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Hurricane season is here, and you and your family have the chance right now to take some simple steps that can save your own lives if Hawai'i is hit by a major disaster. The Hawai'i Red Cross works hard in this community every day to provide relief for those whose lives have been torn apart by disasters.
Equally important is preparing individuals, families, and communities before disaster strikes so that families can learn ways to stay safe during the annual hurricane season and all year long.
Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted two to three tropical cyclones for Hawai'i's 2007 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Although this may not sound like a lot, just one of them could devastate our entire state.
Taking a few moments to discuss these simple, common-sense preparedness steps with your family could save your life and the lives of the ones you love:
Prepare a personal evacuation plan: Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places — a friend's home on another part of the island, or a shelter. Get a good map and be familiar with your community's inundation zones. Listen to local media broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest storm conditions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. In case you have to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter, be sure to bring your family disaster supplies kit. Be sure to also make advance preparations for your pets and people with special health needs such as children, frail, elderly and people with disabilities. Currently, the only designated pet shelter is the Kaua'i Humane Society. Please listen to the radio for Civil Defense announcements about which shelters are open.
Assemble a family disaster supplies kit: Have emergency supplies set aside for all household members for five to seven days, including emergency medications, non-perishable food and a non-electric can opener, bottled water (one gallon per person per day), a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, extra clothes, copies of important documents, cash, a first-aid kit and other special items for infants, pets, and elderly or disabled family members.
Prepare for high winds: Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors, move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.
Measure your readiness and preparedness levels: The Council for Excellence in Government has developed a simple test to measure readiness and preparedness levels. After taking the test, individuals can immediately get test results and recommendations on how to improve (if needed) their family emergency plans. The test is now available on the Hawai'i State Chapter's Web site at www.hawaiiredcross.org.
For more information on hurricane preparedness, you can contact the Hawai'i Chapter of the American Red Cross at 739-8114, or go online to www.hawaiiredcross.org.
We urge you to share these Red Cross hurricane safety tips with every member of your household.
Become Red Cross Ready with three easy steps: Get a kit; make a plan; be informed.
Coralie Chun Matayoshi is chief executive officer of the American Red Cross-Hawai'i State Chapter.
