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Apartment dwellers
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If your apartment has an intercom system, use it as instructed and alert the landlord if the intercom doesn't work the way it should.
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Don't accept deliveries for other tenants. Refer the person to the building's manager.
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Alert the building manager to any suspicious activity or person.
Home owners and renters
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Change locks when you move into a new home, as you don't know who had access previously.
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Inspect the outside of your home to identify potential entry points so that you can take steps to secure them.
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The hinges on any external doors should be located on the inside of the house, not the outside, so that intruders cannot unscrew the hinges and remove the doors.
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Solid wood or metal external doors are harder to break through than composite doors.
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Place a safety bar on the inside track of a sliding door to prevent it from being jimmied open. To ensure you can open the door quickly in the event of fire, choose a safety bar with a quick-release device.
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Make sure garage doors are locked when the garage is not in use.
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Trim shrubs and trees around the house to prevent intruders from hiding or using tree limbs to reach windows and gain access to the home.
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Install motion-detector lights on all corners of the house for maximum security.
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Consider installing an alarm system as an extra level of security — but not to replace the measures already discussed (see "Alarm system basics," above).
Natural disasters and terrorist attacks
No matter where you live in the United States, you are vulnerable to some sort of natural disaster such as a blizzard, earthquake, flood, hurricane, or tornado. In addition, terrorist attacks on America are also possible. Both natural disasters and terrorist attacks can disrupt power, communication, and transportation for days or even longer.
It is best to be prepared in advance so that if a disaster occurs, you know what to do and have the supplies you need on hand. Regardless of the type of event, three basic steps will help you cope.
Step 1: Collect disaster supplies
The devastating series of hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004 provided graphic evidence of just how disruptive natural disasters can be. Many people found themselves without power for weeks, as they struggled to live without working refrigerators, stoves, and phones. To be prepared, collect the following items and store them so that you can find them easily in an emergency — but not so easily that you end up raiding and depleting the supplies without realizing it. Some people store these items in a section of the basement or a closet that is used infrequently. Decide what will work best for you.
Disaster-supply list
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Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day; three-day supply ideal)
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Cash (ATM and credit cards may not work or be accepted by businesses)
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Cell phone (with nonelectrical charger)
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Clothing and underwear
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Contact information (phone numbers of friends and family)
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Documents (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, etc.) in a waterproof container
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Dust mask (one per person)
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Eating utensils (plastic or disposable)
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Emergency numbers of local, state, and federal agencies (see "Emergency numbers," below)
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Financial inventory (a list of bank and investment accounts, mortgages, and loans, including account numbers and location of original documents)
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First-aid kit (see "Your first-aid kit," above)
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Flashlight with extra batteries
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Food (canned goods and other nonperishable items that don't require cooking)
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Masking tape, duct tape
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Medical information (list of your medications, any chronic conditions, and medical history)
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Medications (three-day supply of all daily medications)
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Paper towels, toilet paper, and sanitary products
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Pet supplies and carrier (include food, water, leashes, records of shots)
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Plastic sheeting
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Radio (battery-operated) with extra batteries
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Scissors
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Sleeping bags or blankets (one per person)
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Toiletries (soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.)
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Tools (can opener, knife, pliers; a Swiss army knife may suffice)
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Trash bags
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Author Info: Harvard Health Publications
Date Last Reviewed: 04-01-2005 Published Date: 01-23-2007 Copyright © 2008 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. |
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