Tips If There Is an Emergency This Monsoon

Remember July 27, 2006? The great deluge that engulfed Bombay and most of us had to wade through neck deep water to our homes, or had to spend the night in the office? here are some precautions to take in case the same disaster occurs this monsoon:

Ensure that this handbook is in the glove box at all times.

A well equipped first aid kit with bandage, pain relief spray, antiseptic cream, anti-allergic like Avil, Aspirin, mosquito repellent cream or spray like Odomos.

Car drivers with diabetes, blood pressure, asthma or illness for which they take prescription drugs , should keep a stock of their medicines in the car.

In a disaster- like situation instead of trying to reach home, first reach the nearest acquaintance. Try to minimise travel.

Lower your window panes while driving through water logged areas.

Carry out pre-monsoon checks of batteries, tyres, electrical wiring, engine, maintenance of your car including wipers and top -up the fuel of your car during the monsoon.

Initial light rains will mix with the dust and oils on the road to produce a very slippery surface. Such conditions must be treated with extreme caution as tyres tend to have less grip on slippery surfaces.

Ensure that your tyres have the recommended air pressure and sufficient tread depth.

Install in your car mobile battery charger and ensure your FM Radio is in working condition to tune into announcements. Ensure that you have at least one CDMA cell phone in the car. It seems that CDMA phones worked more effectively than the GSM phone during an emergency.

Handy tools to be kept in the car :

Hammer: to break the glass on the driver's window from the middle/centre, in case of an auto-lock system failure.

Thick long at least 20 metres nylon rope with a hook to be kept the dicky.

Fully charged powerful torch.

Plastic sheets and spare umbrella

Dry and non -perishable food items should be kept in vacuum container in ample quantity. Dry fruits are recommended.

At least two litres of bottled water to be filled daily.

A working whistle.

Create in the contact list of your cell phone ICE (In Case Emergency) to enable any rescuer to inform your nearest ones at the earliest.

Never drive alone preferably in the disaster -prone areas.

Avoid low lying areas.

At any time your Life is more precious than your car, so in case you are stuck be prepared to park and walk.