Buckeyes Bridge Emergency Preparedness with Daily Life

Ohio boasts a large rural population that is descended from the pioneers that settled the state in the early 1800's. My family belongs to that group and that pioneer spirit has remained as has the love of independence, personal responsibility and self reliance. Most any home you are welcomed into in Wayne County will have many items of emergency preparedness integrated into the décor, personal items, appliances and home contents.

In one or more rooms you will most likely find an oil lamp or two. There may be a fireplace or wood burning stove used on occasion or for home heating on a regular basis. A gas stove or gas grill is available for cooking. The cupboards may be filled with a mixture of purchased foods as well as food raised in the garden and canned for preservation. Jars of homemade preserves may be mixed in with jars of purchased jelly. The basement may contain a pantry or root cellar with root vegetables and fruit.

Being prepared for emergencies is a way of life in Ohio. There is no season that is less prone to some sort of natural or man made danger that may cause an interruption of electric or other public service. In the spring there are threats of severe thunderstorms, strong winds, tornadoes and flooding, in the summer extreme heat, high humidity, long periods without rain or long periods of extended rain may occur, in the fall wind, storms and flooding are dangers again followed by winter snow, ice, high wind and extreme cold threats. Any season brings reason to be prepared for loss of utilities, dangerous travel and home safety.

Having emergency preparedness items handy and within reach for easy transition to emergency conditions bridges the gap to deciding if it is necessary to get out the disaster supplies. It is necessary to have a disaster kit on hand for longer periods need. And of course it is important to have a disaster plan for family safety. Ohio residents know that individual safety is up to the individual and their family, friends, community and neighborhood. Planning for disaster includes consideration for food, water, cooking, sanitation, medication and first aid, communication, power and disaster supplies.

My family has done its best to integrate needed disaster supplies into our daily home items as well as assembling emergency supplies in safe areas in our home according to our plan.