Unit 4 : Lesson 1: Protecting and maintaining your home

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Preparing for home emergencies

No one likes to think about an emergency happening to them. Recent hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and winter storms have made us all aware of the need to be prepared. Whether it is a major natural disaster or a minor accident, you need to think ahead about what you would do. Here are a few suggestions.

Know how to call 911

In most cities and towns, you can get emergency help by calling 911 on your telephone. When you call 911 you should be ready to tell the emergency operator about the emergency so he or she will know whether to contact the police, fire department, or emergency medical service. The operator is trained to “talk you through” what to do until help arrives.

Have an emergency kit in your home

You should make an emergency kit to keep in your home. Some of the things you might include are a flashlight and extra batteries for each person in the house, a battery-run radio, candles and matches, a first-aid kit, essential medicines, bottled water, canned or nonperishable food, and a hand-held can opener.

Know what to do in case of fire

You should have an evacuation route planned in case you need to escape from your home quickly. Have everyone who lives in your home practice the escape plan, especially children. Arrange for a place outside your home where you will meet. After you are outside, call 911 from a neighbor’s house or public phone. To put out small fires, you should have a fire extinguisher on every floor of your house or public phone. Small fires that start on the stove can often be put out by first throwing salt or baking soda on the fire and then putting a lid over the flames. Also, don’t forget to check the smoke detectors in your home once a month to see if they need new batteries.

Be ready for a power failure

If all of the lights in your house go out suddenly, you may be having a power failure. If this happens, you should turn off all your appliances, leaving just one light on so you will know when the power comes back. This is a good time to have your emergency kit ready so you can use your flashlights and listen to your battery-powered radio to find out what has happened.

Get out of the house if you smell gas

If you smell gas in your house, quickly turn off any gas appliances and leave the house. Call 911 or the gas company from a neighbor’s house or public phone. Do not go back into your house. Wait until someone who knows how to deal with this kind of emergency arrives.

Be alert for natural disasters

If you live in an area where hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods occur, you can probably get an emergency guide to tell you how to prepare. Call your local newspaper or electric company to find out where to get one. Monitor weather reports carefully. If you know there may be a flood or hurricane, you must decide whether or not to evacuate. If you stay at home, fill your tub and extra containers with drinking water. Bring everything you can inside. During a tornado, try to stay in a basement or in a room that has no windows or outside walls. If you think your house may be flooded, turn off the gas and electricity and go to an upper floor.

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