Being Prepared

WHY PREPARE | STAYING IN TOUCH | PERSONAL BELONGINGS | INSURANCE AND LIABILITY | HURRICANE/EMERGENCY KIT

Students are advised to prepare themselves as much as possible for potential emergencies they may face while attending Tulane University. This section is designed to serve as a guide to students preparing for such emergencies.

 

Why Prepare?

When a disaster occurs, emergency responders, such as fire departments, emergency medical services, and police departments are first on the scene to assess damage, secure public safety, and help those in immediate need. They are joined by volunteer organizations like the American Red Cross, which provides shelter and assistance to meet emergency needs. There are public and private utility crews, who work to restore electricity, telephone and natural gas lines. There is a response system in place, but in times of disaster, emergency responders can't be everywhere, and help is not always immediate. It may take an extended period of time for assistance to reach your area. And if the emergency is limited to your home, workplace, or immediate neighborhood, your plans have to be personalized. In either case, everyone in your family should be ready to act.

For example:

• Disaster strikes and you do not have a car to drive home. You are away at school in New Orleans, your parents are at home or at work in another city/state/country, and other family members are not near Tulane University. How do you find each other and how do you get home?
• Disaster strikes, and confines you to your room. Basic services that we take for granted, such as electricity, water, gas and telephone, may be unavailable for an extended period of time. You need to know how to cope with the situation.
• Disaster strikes while you are in class, and you need to stay in the classroom much longer than expected. How do you deal with your responsibilities while you are delayed?
• Disaster strikes and you need to get out fast. You should have a plan for where to go and what to take with you.
• Disaster strikes suddenly, like a flash flood. You need to know what to do and where to take shelter.

You can see how important it is to take steps to prepare for disaster before it happens. Preparing for emergencies is everyone's responsibility. Families and friends can respond to and recover from these events better by preparing in advance and working as a team.

Developing a personal emergency plan will help you, your family, and friends prepare to cope with the effects of disaster. It takes very little time to do and it provides opportunities for everyone to get involved. The personal emergency plan includes 3 basic steps:

1. Learning about the hazards and how to prepare for each
2. Talking about the idea of disaster planning with your family and friends
3. Putting your plan into action

 

Staying in Touch

The top concern of parents during an emergency is, “Where is my son/daughter?” Housing and Residence Life begins each resident’s stay in housing by requesting emergency contact information and each student’s personal evacuation plan to be submitted prior to or during check in. In addition to the information that is given at check in, PLEASE make plans in advance with your parents and family regarding how you will contact one another in the event of an emergency, such as an evacuation. Multiple modes of contact are advised, such as a cell phone, phone card, and finding a mutual contact person in case conventional communication systems are not operational due to the emergency conditions.

 

Personal Belongings

There are several additional steps that we encourage students to take in preparing their belongings:

• Review the What to Bring and What Not to Bring
• Ensure your belongings are covered under your parent’s homeowner’s insurance or secure additional coverage. Links to two companies who provide low-cost, comprehensive coverage for personal property specifically designed for college students are available in our resources section.
• Label everything – literally – everything with your first and last name

 

Insurance and Liability

In light of the University's recent experience with Hurricane Katrina, Housing and Residence Life requires all students to know their own (or their parents’) homeowners insurance policies, and to what extent such policies will cover any damage in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Students who find the coverage limiting are advised to seek additional coverage in the form of homeowners’ insurance, or college student insurance. More information about the alternative college student insurance can be found at http://housing.tulane.edu/arrive/protect.html.

Per the University Housing Contract: The University disclaims any responsibility for, and each resident hereby releases and holds the University harmless from, any liability arising from any loss or damage to any personal property (including without limitation money or valuables) located in any facility occupied by a resident. The University strongly encourages residents to obtain insurance coverage protecting the resident’s personal property. IF A RESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE, THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY MUST BE ACCEPTED ENTIRELY BY THE RESIDENT.

 

Hurricane/Emergency Kit

Students living on campus (and those living off campus) should design and maintain an emergency kit in their room, and take it with them in the event of an evacuation. We suggest a kit include the following:

• Supply of water (a good guide: 1 gal/per person/per day)
• First aid kit with:
  • Bandages & gauze
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Aspirin & non-aspirin pain reliever
  • Antacid and anti-diarrhea medication
• Rubbing alcohol & moist towelettes
• Extra prescription medication (ask your physician how to store prescription medication in the event of a power outage)
• Toiletries and personal hygiene products
• Contact lenses and eyeglasses
• Sun protection and insect repellent
• Battery-operated radio and flashlight
• Non-electric can opener
• Extra batteries
• Plenty of absorbent towels, plastic trash bags
• Wind-up or battery-operated clock
• Aluminum foil, paper napkins and plates, plastic cups
• Toilet paper & paper towels

Things that would need to be added to the kit without delay in an emergency:

• Pillow, sheets, blankets or sleeping bag
• Rain gear
• Cell phone charger and phone card (in case cell phone towers go down)
• Any important documents you have brought to school (social security card, insurance information, credit cards, driver’s license, special medical information, property inventories, passport, etc.)
• Cash (with no power, banks may be closed, checks and credit cards rejected and ATMs may not be operational)
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
• Games, books, and playing cards