GoodBiz
June 20, 2018
Husky Habits | #15 – Learn Your Hazards
It’s easy to let disaster preparedness remain out of sight and out of mind. However, there are many hazards which could greatly affect our campus, and it’s important to be ready. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, extreme heat, and severe storms, as well as human-induced hazards, including terrorism, active shooters, HAZMAT incidents, and communicable disease, are all situations to which we should know how to respond. The University is committed to increasing our disaster resistance as a campus, and wants you to be ready as well. Here are three key ways to prepare:
- Do your research. It’s important to know what to expect if any of these situations were to occur. The UW Emergency Management website (include link) is a great resource to use to brief yourself on the various types of hazards.
- Make a plan. If you live with roommates or family, take time to sit down together to write up a plan. Identify the locations of the nearest fire and police stations, discuss how to communicate with each other in the case that not everyone is home, stock your home with medical and emergency supplies, and establish an out-of-area contact.
- Create a kit. In the event of a disaster, access to resources and basic services might be limited. It’s best to build a kit with everything you might need for a minimum of 72 hours, including non-perishable food items, water, blankets, a flashlight, and other necessities. Keep a kit at home, in your car, and in your workplace so you’re ready whenever disaster strikes.
>> Learn more about emergency management and preparedness at UW