Education and Tips

We encourage South Salt Lake residents to take a moment to evaluate their preparedness in case of emergency. A great place to start is to create, or refresh, an emergency kit. Emergency kits are highly personal, as each household and individual will require specific items for you and your family to stay safe and healthy in the face of disaster. Consider including everything you need to survive for several days if you are forced to evacuate your home without access to food or water. Below we have attached a list of items that every person should consider keeping in their emergency kit. It is a great starting place when creating an emergency kit, but all individuals should take account of their specific needs. Examples include extra medication, an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, or an extra battery or air pump for someone who uses an electric wheelchair. 

Basic supplies include:

• Water: one gallon per person per day for four days. 
• Shelf stable food
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Flashlight & extra batteries
• First aid supplies
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Multi-purpose tool (Letherman, Swiss Army Knife, etc.)
• Copies of important documents (medication lists and medical information, identification, birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, etc.)
• Cell phone with charger
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Paper map(s) of surrounding area. 

Have you tested your home for radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally as chemicals in the earth break down over time. Radon is radioactive, and prolonged exposure can cause lung cancer–in fact, it is the second most common cause of lung cancer. Because radon occurs naturally, it is all around us, but some homes allow in more than others.  The only way to know if your home contains dangerous levels of radon is to test for it. You can get a free radon test kit from utahradonservices.com. 

Resolve to be Ready! As we approach the end of the year, it's a great time to start thinking about how you can be better prepared in 2025. Emergency preparedness can seem like a daunting task, so we recommend breaking it up into pieces, and planning out time to complete each more-manageable task. Below are some of the action items that we recommend adding to your 2025 calendar:

• Make an emergency plan: choose an out-of-home meeting place, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-state contact. Download and use this template as a starting point in your emergency plan.
• Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster.
• Get to know your neighbor(s) and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.
• Take photos of important documents and save them in a secure place online.
• Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies. 
• Take a class in CPR or first aid.
• Check and update your emergency supplies. Click here to see what items you should include in your emergency kit. 
• Check, charge, or buy back-up power sources to charge devices in case of a power outage.
• Take pictures of your property for insurance purposes.
• Check your insurance policy for coverage of disasters (floods, earthquakes, winter weather, etc.)
• Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications! Sign up for the SSL NotifyMe system, or the download the National Weather Service app.
• Save for a rainy day! Establish an emergency fund and plan regular contributions. Click here to learn more about financial preparedness. 

As Winter approaches, roads can become unpredictable with snow, ice, and reduced visibility. According to the US Department of Transportation, nearly 900 people are killed in vehicle crashes during snow and sleet storms each year. In order to keep yourself and those around you safe, drive carefully, pay attention to your surroundings, and take the following precautions to prepare your vehicle for winter weather.

1. Check your tires: Look for built-in wear bar indicators, or use a quarter. Insert the quarter in the tread. If the tread doesn't reach George Washington's head, you should consider changing your tires.  
2. Check your battery: When temperature drops, so does your battery power. Have a mechanic check your battery and charging system. 
3. Check your lights: remember to inspect headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights. If you use a trailer, remember to check those lights too. 
4. Create a car emergency kit: include shelf-stable snacks, water, a blanket, cell phone charger, jumper cables, a flare, tow rope, a flashlight, and an ice scraper.