Open letter to residents along Goulais River from Red Cross

GOULAIS RIVER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS - POTENTIAL FLOODING

Flood safety, spring floods, are you ready?

The Canadian Red Cross wishes to offer information on how to prepare yourself for the spring flooding, to help keep you safe.

Before the flood, have a plan.

Don't let a major disaster victimize you: make sure everyone in your family knows what to do before, during and after the emergency.

- in an emergency call 949-3030 Goulais, 946-2323 Searchmount

- children should know their street address and phone number to help emergency crews reach them when they call for help

- identify friends or family who are to be called if you cannot reach home and who will provide a safe house for your family

- discuss what you could do to prepare for different emergencies

- discuss what emergency food, clothing, and materials you might need

- make arrangements for pets

- call your local Canadian Red Cross office for more information on how to be prepared in an emergency

Get supplies ready

An emergency survival kit should be kept in an easy-to-carry backpack or duffle bag in case of an evacuation and should include:

- flashlight with extra batteries

- radio with extra batteries (so you can hear news bulletins)

- first aid kit

- candles and waterproof matches or lighter - extra car keys and cash - food – dry/canned goods for a minimum of three days (ie. canned soups and fruits, sugar, peanut butter, honey and crackers) (replace once a year)

- bottled water/fruit juice – at least one litre per day per adult - one change of clothing and footwear - blankets or sleeping bags - toothpaste, toilet paper and other personal supplies - medication/extra eye glasses - equipment – knives, forks spoons, cups, bowls and plates, plastic garbage bags, manual can and bottle opener, fuel stove and fuel. Do not use a barbeque inside

- whistle (to get someone's attention)

- playing cards or other games

- other possible needs

- for babies/young children – diapers, bottled milk, toys, crayons and paper

- for pets – pet food, medication, water and rope if they need to be tied

Know what to do and act safely - before the flood

- electricity – shut off all power in your home if there is immediate danger of flooding

- heating equipment – to safeguard or minimize damage to heating equipment, consult your supplier for instructions before a flood situation

General precautions

- have your emergency survival kit ready

- collect any important personal and family documents

- move as many belongings as possible to upper levels

- remove toxic substances from the flooding area to prevent pollution

- plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden plug

- generators must have the proper disconnect so as not to back-feed power and be operated in an area that would not have fumes (carbon monoxide poisoning) leaking into the house, i.e. attached garage.

If an evacuation is ordered

- vacate your home when you are advised to do so by local emergency authorities. Ignoring such a warning could jeopardize the safety of your family and those people who might eventually have to come to your rescue

- Goulais Fire and Rescue WILL NOT provide evacuation after nightfall

- Goulais Fire and Rescue will provide early warning to flood area residence and evacuated if requested (include Civic I.D. # and the number of people involved)

- Great Lakes Power may disconnect power for the rescuers safety

- when you leave, take your emergency survival kit with you - follow the routes specified by the officials. Do not take short cuts.

- if time allows, leave a note in the mail box saying when and where you went

- if you are evacuated, register with the reception centre so that you can be contacted and reunited with your family and loved ones

- if you are using your car, try not to drive through flood waters

After the flood

- HELP THE INJURED – get your emergency survival kit (the first aid kit is in there)

- LISTEN TO THE RADIO – Listen to your local radio station for instructions

- DON'T USE THE TELEPHONE – Unless absolutely necessary. Emergency crews need all lines

When you return home

– restore your home to good order as soon as possible to protect from diseases and to prevent further damage

- exercise caution when re-entering your home by wearing rubber boots

Be prepared to prevent and treat injuries in an emergency through training in:

- first aid - disease transmission - CPR - babysitting - peoplesavers - childsafe

Call your local Red Cross today at 759-4547 regarding courses.