Being prepared for emergencies is crucial. Emergency services recommend having a two-week supply of essentials for each household member. This is vital for scenarios like power outages, storms, earthquakes, and fires. Winter brings unique challenges such as cold, snow, and hazardous conditions. The key to safety is planning.

Island Volunteer Caregivers together with Bainbridge Prepares has partnered to offer this emergency Preparedness Guide to you but always consult local emergency services for more detail in case of an emergency.

Planning Ahead

Consider the following to ensure you remain safe, fed, and warm during emergencies:

• What essentials do you need to maintain daily living if help cannot reach you?

• Do you have a backup plan for life-sustaining medical devices in case of power interruptions?

• Do you have a two-week supply of medications and medical supplies?

• Who can you call for assistance (friends, neighbors, relatives), and can they reach you?

• How will you keep your phone charged?

• If caring for someone with special needs, have you planned for their care?

• Do you know your nearest warming shelter and how to get there?

• Do you have a packet of important documents ready to grab and go?

• Do you know your escape route if you need to evacuate your home?

• Have you assembled an emergency kit for swift evacuation?

• Do you have medical supplies to treat yourself or others?

Reaching Out for Help

Being prepared also means knowing how to seek help:

• Keep a list of emergency contact numbers (family, friends, neighbors, doctors, veterinarians) by your phone.

• Nixle is the City of Bainbridge Island’s official emergency notification and alert system. In addition to providing communications during emergencies, Nixle is also used to inform the public of road closures, missing persons or urgent issues related to storm response. Bainbridge Island Sign up: Text 98110 to 888777 or visit www.nixle.com. You can get Nixle alerts by text and/or email.  For email, visit www.nixle.com and enter your zip code.

• The City of Bainbridge Island is prepared to operate severe weather shelter at the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center, as needed. Additional shelters may be open, as needed, at Bethany Lutheran Church, St. Barnabas, and/or Seabold United Methodist Church. Our severe weather shelters are opened if there is an extended power outage (expected for more than 4 hours) during forecasted weather at or below 32 degrees.

• Keep Island Volunteer Caregivers phone number handy: 206-842-4441

Supplies to Have on Hand

Gather supplies gradually if needed. For a complete emergency supply check list, go here.  Essential items include:

• First aid kit

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• Battery-operated radio with extra batteries

• Cell phone with charger and a fully charged backup battery supply

• Whistle to signal for help

• Backup power supply for life-sustaining devices

• Prescription medication for at least seven days

• Personal hygiene supplies

• Backup medical supplies (hearing aid batteries, manual wheelchair)

• Non-perishable food for at least seven days (including pet food)

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least seven days

• Manual can opener

• Extra blankets and warm clothing

• Shovel

• Toilet paper

• Dust mask for filtering contaminated air

• Plastic sheeting and duct tape for sheltering in place

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes

• Prescription and non-prescription medicines for yourself and pets

• Glasses and contact solution

• Cash

• Fire extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, plastic utensils

• Paper and pencil

Maintaining Your Emergency Supplies

• Store food in a cool, dry place

• Keep boxed food in plastic or metal containers

• Replace expired items as needed

• Review your supplies annually to keep your kit updated

Kit Storage Locations

• At home: Store your kit in a designated place known to all family members.

• At work: Be prepared to shelter in place for at least 24 hours with essentials in a grab-and-go case.

• In your car: Keep an emergency kit including a first aid kit, blankets, warm clothing, jumper cables, windshield scraper, shovel, rock salt or sand, water, dried food, chains, flares, flashlight and batteries, cell phone charger, and a full tank of gas.

Winter Weather Safety Tips

• Watch for slippery pavement and ensure walkways and stairs are clear of ice and snow.

• Wear boots with non-skid soles and allow extra time to cross streets.

• Wear light or fluorescent-colored clothing at night and carry a flashlight.

• Keep your radio tuned in for extreme weather updates.

• Dress warmly with a hat, gloves, warm boots, scarf, and layers.

• Stay nourished, hydrated, and active.

• Check on neighbors and have them check in on you.

• Avoid shoveling snow if you have a heart condition or are unfit.

• Never heat your home with a BBQ, gas, or propane stove/oven.

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with fresh batteries.

• Keep space heaters three feet away from anything flammable.

• Never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces.

• Winterize your car with antifreeze, good tires, and windshield wipers.

• Always bring your cell phone when leaving home and inform someone of your whereabouts.

For more information about our preparedness partners, visit City of Bainbridge Island or Bainbridge Prepares