COVID-19 social distancing measures provide opportunity to be prepared

 By Eric Alves, Regional Communications Specialist, American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio

March 23, 2020 — As individuals and families remain at home at a higher rate due to the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing measures, the American Red Cross is urging all Northeast Ohio residents to take the time to prepare for future disasters.

Here are some safety tips to practice and follow while everyone is home together:

Home Fire Safety

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
• Talk with all family members about a home fire escape plan, make sure everyone has two exits out of every room.
• Practice your fire escape plan and have everyone meet at the designated safe location. Make sure everyone escapes in two minutes or less.

Flood Safety

• Assemble an emergency preparedness kit.
• Create a household evacuation plan that includes your pets.
• Educate your family on how to use the Safe and Well website.
• Talk with your family about what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued. Discussing floods ahead of time helps reduce fears, especially for younger children.
• Make sure you have access to NOAA radio broadcasts.
• Prepare a pet emergency kit for your companion animals.

Tornado Safety

• Talk about tornadoes with your family so that everyone knows where to go if a tornado warning is issued.
• Ensure you have access to NOAA Radio broadcasts.
• Prepare a pet emergency kit for your furry friends.

Thunderstorm Safety

• Discuss thunderstorm safety and lightning safety with all members of your household.
• Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a severe thunderstorm.

Visit redcross.org to learn more emergency preparedness tips to ensure you and your family are Red Cross ready. Be sure to download the free Red Cross mobile apps, available in the Apple App Store or Google Play, for tools and preparedness information you need every day.