- Gather information about hazards. Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management office, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.
- Meet with your family to create a plan. Discuss the information you have gathered.
- Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can't return home.
- Choose an out-of-state friend as your "family check-in contact" for everyone to call if the family gets separated.
- Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones.
- Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them.
- Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home.
- Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number.
- Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
- A disaster supplies kit should include: A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil, one change of clothing and footwear per person, one blanket or sleeping bag per person, a first-aid kit, including prescription medicines, emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, an extra set of car keys, a credit card or cash, special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Practice and maintain your plan.
- Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules.
- Conduct drills. Replace stored water and food every 6 months. Contact your local National Weather Service office, American Red Cross chapter, or local office of emergency management for a copy of Your Family Disaster.
SOURCES: FEMA, NOAA, National Weather Service, The American Red Cross
|