Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department stressing preparation

ZANESVILLE, Ohio-  After the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department wants to remind people to always be prepared for a possible natural disaster.

The health department says the hurricane in Texas reminds everyone that emergency plans are a necessity. Emergency Readiness Coordinator, Kristina Bell, said the most important thing for families is to have a plan. An important item to have at all times is water. Bell recommends having one gallon of water per person and pet for at least three days. Flash lights, batteries, and nonperishable foods are also highly recommended. Also, in case you are separated from family, establishing several places to meet is crucial.

“Another part of communications is having a good meeting place for your family,” said Bell. “That could be a local neighborhood meeting place in case of fire. You want a meeting place outside of your neighborhood, in case there is flooding, and you can’t get back to your home. Also a place outside the city that would be a meeting place. Whether its a family member, that lives somewhere else, so if you are separated you all know where to go to make contact with each other.”

When power is lost, phones will die due to not being able to be charged. Bell recommends that people rely less on their cell phone contact list during an emergency.

“We know that a phone number, or contact information, is just touching their picture on our phone,” said Bell. “You need to make sure you have phone numbers in writing and have those in several locations. Whether you keep one on yourself, in your car, and at home. Also, have doctors phones numbers, service providers, schools and daycare’s as well.”

You can go to ZMCHD.org, at the bottom of the website you can sign up for Zanesville and Muskingum County public health news updates that will be sent directly to you.