DHSS Press Release

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY IN AN EMERGENCY NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK (April 7-13, 2014) FOR DAY TWO: APRIL 8

DOVER, DE (April 8, 2014) – By being prepared for emergencies, Delawareans can reduce the impact of floods, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and flu outbreaks on their families. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) asks every household to create and maintain an emergency preparedness kit.

Sharing preparedness tips and resources in communities supports one of the goals of National Public Health Week (April 7-13). “When families are prepared, they are less likely to panic,” said Dr. Karyl T. Rattay, DPH director. “Calmly facing and preparing for emergencies allows for sheltering in place or evacuating.”

For families and communities to best withstand natural or man-made emergencies, follow these recommendations:

• Gather your household for a night of emergency preparedness: make plans for putting together an emergency stockpile kit, create a crisis communication plan, designate an emergency meeting place and hold household emergency drills. All Americans should create at least a three-day supply of food and water stored in their homes, with at least one gallon of water per person per day and a week’s supply of food that doesn’t require refrigeration. Develop your emergency stockpile with help from www.ready.gov/ and the State of Delaware’s Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section’s website, www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/php/index
• Ask schools, retirement communities, and churches if they have written emergency plans in place. A good place to start is at www.ready.gov/community-preparedness.
• Want to help your community? The Delaware Medical Reserve Corps trains volunteers who assist DPH during emergencies. To learn more about the DMRC, visit www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/php/index
• Protect yourself against home fires. Smoke detectors should be installed in your home and a workable fire extinguisher should be accessible. (See fire prevention brochures posted to statefiremarshal.delaware.gov/.)
• Sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) offered by some wireless carriers. If your carrier offers WEAs and your cell phone is WEA-capable, you can receive government alerts. Alerts cover extreme weather and other threatening emergencies in your area; Presidential Alerts during a national emergency; and the most serious child abduction cases through American’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert Program.

For more helpful tips, visit the National Public Health Week website:www.nphw.org.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.