How to prepare for what was once the unimaginable.
By: Jennifer Potash
With the Boy Scouts’ motto of "be prepared" in mind, the Princeton Regional Health Department has issued a checklist for residents to use in the event of a biological or other emergency.
The list, originally prepared and released to the public last year, was dusted off after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security raised the threat level from the yellow "elevated" to the orange "high" level two weeks ago, said Princeton Regional Health Officer William Hinshillwood.
"One woman called and asked if there were any local precautions," Mr. Hinshillwood said. "So I thought it would be good idea to remind people."
The checklist suggests having portable emergency supplies including a first aid kit, a three-day supply of food and water for all family members, flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, backpacks to carry the items and cash in the event a disaster forces residents to flee their home, Mr. Hinshillwood said.
Also, each family should create its own checklist with phone numbers for police, hospitals and other emergency services, emergency broadcast information and a buddy phone system a contact, preferably out of state, that family members can check in with during an emergency.
Family members should also learn how to turn off water, gas and electricity at the entry point to the home, Mr. Hinshillwood said. In the case of gas connections, only qualified personnel may turn the service back on, he said.
For emergency alerts, Princeton Township residents have the Community Alert Network emergency telephone system that provides information via a recorded telephone message.
The same information is available on the local cable channels 40A for Princeton Borough and channel 50A for Princeton Township.
The most important to-do item is to stay calm and be patient, he said. Residents should put their family plans in action and check radio or other local media sources for news and instructions.
"Give your community professionals time to gear up," he said.
In addition to looking for damage to property, residents should also remember to check on the health and wellbeing of neighbors, he said.

