BERLIN, Conn. – August 31, 2010 – According to statistics from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), less than half of all households have an emergency plan and 42 percent of people report that they would need help during a disaster.
Are you ready? Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) is reminding customers that September is National Preparedness Month. This is the seventh year that FEMA, through its Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, is leading a nationwide effort encouraging families to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.
"Being prepared means putting together an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being prepared to help your neighbor, and working together as a team to keep everyone safe," said Mike Zappone, manager, System Restoration and Emergency Preparedness, CL&P. "Companies and organizations across Connecticut have joined the campaign to educate their employees and members about how to be ready if something happens."
CL&P's parent company Northeast Utilities, The Hartford, Thomson Reuters Corporation, Salisbury Bank, the Norwalk Fire Department Office of Emergency Management and the Amateur Radio Relay League are among the Connecticut-based participants in the program.
"As an example, FEMA has an extensive list of recommendations for what to put into an emergency supply kit," adds Zappone. "The idea is to be prepared for situations beyond power outages." For an emergency supply kit, FEMA recommends:
- Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation
- Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and a hand-held can opener for any canned food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to build a shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers
CL&P also reminds customers with life support equipment to develop a plan. It should include an alternate source of electric power such as a battery backup system, an uninterruptible power supply or a properly installed generator for the life support equipment; emergency telephone numbers (doctor, fire, police and ambulance) and a procedure to vacate your home during a prolonged outage.
To learn more about the National Preparedness Month campaign, go to www.ready.gov. For additional tips or to learn how CL&P prepares for storms, go to www.cl-p.com.
The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is improving the environments you live in, by offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.
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