R5 In an Emergency

Since 9/11, the Red Cross has promoted disaster planning with a “National Preparedness Month” campaign each September. “Everybody should have a plan in place,” says Abigail Adams, communications director for the Westchester Chapter of the Red Cross. Really? In Westchester? “Frankly, Westchester is in a pretty high-risk area,” she says. What the Red Cross advises you do before the Next Big One:

1. Build a “go bag” that you can easily take with you in an emergency evacuation. “It should contain copies of the most important documents to put your life back together, and about three days’ worth of extra medications, food, bottled water, a flashlight, radio, thermal blanket, and some cash in small denominations,” plus provisions for your pets—a leash, food, etc. Do leave the TV at home.

2. Make a plan. Designate a meeting spot for everyone in your family to rendezvous in an emergency (Blue Hill is not an option!) and designate an out-of-state friend or relative to relay messages and coordinate communication among you in case local lines of communication fail. “If you think back to nine eleven, it was impossible to call other numbers within Manhattan because all the local circuits were overloaded, but you could still place calls elsewhere outside of the city.”

- Advertisement -

3. Stay informed. “Know your company’s contingency plans for an emergency, know your kids’ school emergency plans, know local evacuation routes, and even the emergency exits in your office. In a crisis situation, you don’t want to end up being another casualty and becoming part of the problem.”

If you’re still quivering, visit westchestercounty.redcross.org for more advice.

Unveiled: A Boutique Bridal Brunch is February 23!

Our Best of Westchester Readers' Ballot is open through January 15!

Our Women in Business Awards event is November 21!

Our Best of Business event is October 30!

Our CEOs & Business Leaders Golf Outing is August 5!

Our Best of Westchester Party is July 24!

Our Westchester Home Design Awards event is June 26!

Our Wine & Food Festival returns June 4-9!

Our Wunderkinds event takes place on May 23!

Our Best of Business Ballot is open through May 15!

Our Healthcare Heroes Awards event takes place on May 9!

Our Westchester Home Builders Awards take place on April 4!

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum is March 14!

Holiday flash sale ... subscribe and save 50%

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.