Families can-and do-cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed to create your family's disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.
1. Make a map of your home.
-Label every exit, including doors, windows, and hallways, which may become a potential escape.
-In every room, label the primary exit and a secondary exit in case the primary is blocked.
-Label every room where a family member sleeps.
-Label the locations of any escape ladders, or other special equipment.
-Label the locations of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, first aid kits, and 72-hr kits.
-Label the locations of shutoffs for gas, water, and electricity.
-For people with medical conditions or disabilities, label their location as well as the location of any special equipment they will immediately need.
2. Find out what could happen to you. Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross chapter-be prepared to take notes:
-Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.
-Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
-Ask about animal care after disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
-Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
-Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center, and other places when your family spends time.
3. Create a disaster plan. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
-Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
-Pick two places to meet.
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number
-Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact". After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
-Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
4. Complete this checklist:
-Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
-Ask about animal care after disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
-Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
-Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center, and other places when your family spends time.
3. Create a disaster plan. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
-Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
-Pick two places to meet.
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number
-Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact". After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
-Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
4. Complete this checklist:
-Post emergency numbers by phones
-Teach children how and when to call 911
-Show each family member how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
-Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
-Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher and show them where it's kept.
-Install smoke detectors on each level of your home especially near bedrooms.
-Conduct a home hazard hunt.
-Stock emergency supplies, 72 hr. kits, and proper food storage.
-Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
-Determine the best escape routes from your house. Find two ways out of each room.
-Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
5. Practice and Maintain Your Plan.
-Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
-Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills, and document them.
-Replace stored water every three months and rotate food storage out.
-Test and recharge your fire extinguishers according to manufacturer's instructions.
-Change your batteries on the same date annually.
-Teach children how and when to call 911
-Show each family member how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
-Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
-Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher and show them where it's kept.
-Install smoke detectors on each level of your home especially near bedrooms.
-Conduct a home hazard hunt.
-Stock emergency supplies, 72 hr. kits, and proper food storage.
-Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
-Determine the best escape routes from your house. Find two ways out of each room.
-Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
5. Practice and Maintain Your Plan.
-Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
-Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills, and document them.
-Replace stored water every three months and rotate food storage out.
-Test and recharge your fire extinguishers according to manufacturer's instructions.
-Change your batteries on the same date annually.
