Be Prepared! AvalonBay’s Community Preparedness Week
As part of AvalonBay’s Building Strong Communities philanthropy program and our national partnership with the American Red Cross, our second annual Community Preparedness Week (CPW) will run from June 13th-17th, 2016. Our goal for CPW is to focus on both individual and collective disaster preparation and to engage you and our associates throughout the week. Disaster disrupts thousands of lives each year. Each disaster has lasting effects to both people and property. As an American Red Cross Disaster Responder Member, our partnership gives us access to Red Cross’ considerable resources. We are lucky to be able to share these resources with you.
BE RED CROSS READY
The best way to cope with a disaster is to prepare in advance. For every $1 spent on preparedness, $4 is spent on recovery. Here are a few things you can do to Be Prepared.
Download the Red Cross Emergency App
This is a comprehensive set of tools covering multiple types of disasters, including severe weather alerts, educational resources, and family safety features. Click here, text GETEMERGENCY to 90999 or search “Red Cross Emergency” in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
Prepare in 4 Easy Steps
- Get a Kit: create an emergency kit that is easy to carry in a backpack or duffle bag, including water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, first aid kit, personal documents, cash, a 7 day supply of medications, and an extra set of car and apartment keys.
- Make a Plan: Choose two places to meet; one right outside of your community and one outside of your neighborhood, then practice meeting twice each year. Learn more here.
- Be Informed: Memorize emergency contact numbers, and give all family members the information in writing. Download the Red Cross Emergency Contact Card.
- Maintain Your Kit: Make sure your supplies are safe to use if you need them.
- Keep canned food in a cool, dry place, and boxed food in tightly closed containers.
- Change kit supplies every six months.
- Keep your kit items in airtight plastic bags.
- Get the full Red Cross Kit list here.
Prepare with Kids
It’s important for all family members to know what the plan is in the event of an emergency or disaster. Here are some great Red Cross resources to share with your kids and help make sure they know what to do during an emergency:
- Home Fire Escape Plan– Kids can use this to draw an escape plan from their apartment
- Mack & Moxy PBS Show– During this episode, the duo and friends helps kids learn about what to do in the event of a fire.
- Monster Guard App– For kids aged 7-11 years old. This app teaches preparedness for real-life emergencies at home with the help of Maya, Chad, Olivia and all the monsters. Download via Apple App Store or Google play; or text “MONSTER” to 90999.
- Disney Action Kit– Help kids be prepared in just 3 simple steps.
- Disney Mickey and Friends Preparedness Activity Book – an interactive activity book for kids.
Prepare Your Pets
At AvalonBay we welcome, appreciate and give back to pets everywhere through WAG. Your pets are part of your family, so we want to make sure they are prepared too. Here are resources to help:
- Create an Emergency Plan for your Pets– Take action now so you know how to best care for your four legged friends when the unexpected occurs.
- Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist– The best way to ensure the safety of your family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets.
- Download the Pet First Aid App – This app provides critical first aid info for your pet… at your fingertips. Find it in the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Marketplace.
We encourage you to get involved with Community Preparedness Week and to familiarize yourself with the many valuable Red Cross resources. Being prepared for disasters and emergencies, big and small, can make a difference. Thank you for Building Strong Communities with AvalonBay!