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Family Disaster Plan
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services-water, gas, electricity or telephones-were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.
Preparation
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.
Where Disaster Will Strike
Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere-at work, at school or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe?
- 4 Steps to Safety
- Emergency Supplies
- Evacuation
- Home Hazard Hunt
- If Disaster Strikes
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors
- Utilities
- 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 about animal care after disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
- Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
- Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
- Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.
- 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.
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, its 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 the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
- Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
- Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
- Complete This Checklist
- Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Conduct a home hazard hunt.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
- Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
- Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
- Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
- Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Emergency Supplies
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers. Include:
- Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
- An extra pair of glasses.
- An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
- A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
- One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- Sanitation supplies.
- Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
- A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.
Recommended Evacuation Guidelines
Emergency Evacuation Grab and Go List
Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
- Follow the instructions of local emergency officials.
- Lock your home.
- Take your family disaster supplies kit
- Use travel routes specified by local authorities-don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
- Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
If you're sure you have time:
- Make arrangements for your pets.
- Post a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
- Shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.
During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards.
Contact Information
Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
Check the following if disaster strikes.
- Check for injuries
- Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
- Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions
- Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
Check for Damage in Your Home
- Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
- Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.
- Shut off any other damaged utilities.
- Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
- Use flashlights-do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
Important Things to Remember
- Call your family contact-do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
- Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
- Confine or secure your pets.
- Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.
Main Electric Fuse Box
Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
Turning Utilities on & Off
Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.