E-newsletter from Rep. Dan Roach - 31st Legislative District

Olympia Office:
122-C Legislative Bldg.
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Phone: (360) 786-7846

Toll-Free Legislative Hotline
1-800-562-6000
Website
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Roach

COMMITTEES:
Transportation (Ranking)
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Audit Review and Oversight

Jan. 6, 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

Election-year restrictions that have prevented me from sending you e-newsletter updates are behind us, as well as the holidays. In one week, on Jan. 12, the Legislature will convene in Olympia for a scheduled 105-day session. I plan to keep you updated via e-mail as the session continues. If you know of other people in the 31st District who would also like to receive these updates, please have them contact my office to be added to our list.

Following our recent winter storms, the Boy Scouts' motto "Be prepared" comes to mind. We still have several months remaining of winter weather, so I've provided a checklist below that you can print out that may help you to be prepared should we encounter further damaging storms or other emergencies.

Again, please feel free to contact my office any time you have questions or comments about legislation or state government.

Thank you for allowing me the honor to serve you!

Dan Roach
State Representative
31st Legislative District

Plan ahead now

Imagine you have no electricity, no gas, no water and no telephone service. Imagine all the businesses are closed and you are without any kind of emergency services. What will you do until help arrives? Here are some ways you can plan ahead now so, should the unthinkable happen, you and your family will be ready.

Basic Home Disaster Kit Below is a checklist of the most basic items you should have on hand in case of an emergency. Be sure to check your home disaster kit every six months to make sure all items are included.
General Supplies Keep these in a backpack or portable plastic container
Food: Three-day supply. Make sure food is non-perishable, does not need to be cooked, refrigerated or require special preparation. Matches in a waterproof container Whistle Copies of ID and credit cards Cash and coins Prescription medication Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags Eyeglasses and contact lens solution IF YOU HAVE BABIES: Infant items, such as diapers and baby formula	Water: Have in storage one gallon of drinking/cooking water per person per day. A minimum of three days is recommended. Personal hygiene items One complete change of clothes Rain gear Important phone numbers First aid kit with handbook Toilet paper, moist towelettes Car keys and maps IF YOU HAVE PETS: Pet items, such as a carrier, leash, food, medications.
Important Documents Store in a plastic zip-lock bag
Deeds and wills Birth and marriage certificates Social security card	Bank information and account numbers Insurance policies Drivers license (have available)
Bedding Store in a plastic zip-lock bag
Mylar blankets Tent or waterproof tarp	Sleeping bags and pads Pillows
Tools and Supplies
Fire extinguisher Paper plates Wrench for gas and water shutoff Sledgehammer Crowbar	Cooking utensils Plastic utensils Battery-operated radio, extra batteries Flashlight, electric lantern, light sticks Manual can opener
Other gear Store in a plastic zip-lock bag
Work shoes or boots Jacket or coat Hand warmer packets	Hat, hard hat, work gloves and scarf Long pants Long-sleeved shirt
Survival kit for your car This kit is a smaller version of the one in your home, as it is unlikely you will take refuge in your vehicle for very long:
Change of clothes Blankets Maps	Tools First aid kit Copies of identification stored in a waterproof container
In addition, always keep at least a half a tank of gas in your car.

YOUR DISASTER PLAN

Use this space to fill information regarding your household disaster plan. Once you have completed this form, make copies and supply one to each member of your family.

In the event of an emergency in our home, we will meet at:

Location close by your home:______________________________________________

In the event of an emergency and we are unable to return home, we will meet at:

Location:____________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________

Phone Number: ________________________________________

Our family's emergency contact is:

Name:________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________

Daytime phone number:__________________________________

Evening phone number:___________________________________

E-mail:_________________________________________________

The Home Disaster Kit is located:

Location:________________________________________________

NOTE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF IMPROVISED HEATING/COOKING SOURCES:
The following items can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide (CO) causing injury, poisoning and death:

Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
Never use a charcoal grill or a barbeque grill indoors.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal (red, gray, black, white) gives off CO.
Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage.

Other planning resources
This e-newsletter guide is a first step to help you plan for an emergency. There are several great resources on the Internet that can take you to your next step of disaster planning:

For more news and information, visit my website at www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Roach
If you would rather not receive legislative e-mail updates, please click here and send me an e-mail.
In the subject line, please include the words UNSUBSCRIBE ME.