In July, our South Florida hurricane damage attorneys urged South Florida and Treasure Coast residents to take the danger of hurricanes seriously as the 2012 hurricane season got underway. With hurricane Isaac serving as a reminder that the hurricane season has arrived, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are encouraging Americans to prepare emergency kits. These kits will also help residents be prepared in the case of a zombie invasion.
The two government agencies have partnered to raise the awareness of the dangers of being ill-prepared for emergencies. The campaign focuses on showing Americans how preparing for a zombie attack, or other fictional disasters, can provide useful tips to get prepared for a real disaster.
The zombie theme came about last year after the agencies took to social media to find out what types of emergencies people were prepared for. When zombie attacks started cropping up alongside real emergencies such as hurricanes and tornadoes, the CDC decided to use zombies as part of their marketing plan.
The campaign kicked off last May with the Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse blog posting from the CDC. The CDC explains that if zombies did start roaming the streets, the agency would conduct an investigation much like any other disease outbreak, and it would provide technical assistance to cities, states, or international partners dealing with a zombie infestation. The CDC also developed a novella, Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic, to demonstrate the importance of being prepared “in an entertaining way that people of all ages will enjoy.”
Although the CDC acknowledges that it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off food supplies for two weeks, it suggests maintaining a supply that will last that long. It also suggests families pick a meeting place “to regroup in case zombies invade your home … or your town evacuates because of a hurricane.”
In addition, the CDC recommends preparing an emergency kit with the following items:
- Food (Non-perishable items that you regularly eat)
- Water (At least 1 gallon per family member per day)
- Medications (Both prescription and non-prescription medication)
- Sanitation and Hygiene (Towels, soap, household bleach, etc.)
- Clothing and Bedding (A change of clothes and blanket for each member of the family)
- Tools and Supplies (Battery powered radio, utility knife, duct tape, etc.)
- First aid supplies (Although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you’ll be able to use first aid supplies to treat basic lacerations and cuts that you may get during a hurricane or tornado)
- Important documents (Copies of your birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, etc.)
Treasure Coast homeowners and business owners should also prepare for emergencies by ensuring they understand their insurance policies and their coverage for wind, water, mold, mud and other damages.
About Philip DeBerard, Florida Injury Attorney
The law firm of South Florida injury attorney Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney has provided professional and compassionate legal assistance to personal injury and accident victims in South Florida on the Treasure Coast since 1975. The firm’s office is at 215 Southwest Federal Highway, Suite 300, Stuart, Fla., 34994. (Local phone number: 772-286-1000.)
Its practice areas include car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, product liability, dog bite injuries, swimming pool accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, and wrongful death claims. The firm represents clients throughout the South Florida communities of Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Stuart, Okeechobee, Vero Beach, Palm Beach and across the state of Florida. For more information or a free consultation, call (800) 299-8878 or use the firm’s online contact form.
