Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We are in the midst of hurricane season. Now is the time to prepare your family and loved ones for such an emergency. Strongly consider downloading the FEMA app on your phone from the Apple or Google store. This app will provide you with up-to-date and accurate weather information. It will also provide you with location information on where to evacuate and it will list local shelters. The app also provides information on how to prepare for a severe weather emergency. It has screen readers and talking capabilities to aid people with disabilities.
Remember, a hurricane will not wait for you to get organized. Part of your preparation and preplanning should be to map out an evacuation route. There should be a family plan that includes a place for everyone to meet. There should be plans to pick up elderly and disabled family members.
Think seriously about preparing an emergency kit. Certainly, one can buy a kit that would have bandages, gauze, tape, pain relievers, antiseptics, and other wound care needs. Make sure you have extra clothing, blankets, tweezers, non-latex gloves and baby care needs. Your kit should have the particulars you also require.
Think about preparing a kit that includes medication for your family members for three to seven days. Remember, the cat and the dog are family members, so include their medications. Small sizes of toiletries should be included.
Make sure you have water for yourself and the family. Look at stockpiling enough canned and snack food products to get you through three to seven days. Remember to rotate them out to keep them edible. Do not forget about food for your pet.
Gather important documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, insurance information and contact info for family and friends. A digital copy of these would also be nice.
Your kit should include flashlights, batteries, battery packs and a radio.
Keep the car ready to go, especially when you hear of an imminent emergency. Keep the car’s gas tank filled with gas.
You, your family and friends are your most important possessions. With the rapid changes we are seeing in the environment, we will see more severe weather events and more intense weather scenarios. It is important to be prepared.
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
