StormReady
Prepare a 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.
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1. Find Out What Could Happen to You
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office before a
disaster occurs--be prepared to take notes.
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Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on
how to prepare for each.
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Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you
should do when you hear them.
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Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals are not allowed inside
emergency shelters because of health regulations.
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Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
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Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or
day care center, and other places where your family spends time.
2. Create a Disaster Plan
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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.
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Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to
do in each case.
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Pick two places to meet:
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A. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
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B. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know
the address and phone number.
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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.
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Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete This Checklist
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Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
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Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical
Services number for emergency help.
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Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and
electricity) at the main switches.
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Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
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Get training from the fire department for each family member on how to use the
fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
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Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
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Conduct a home
hazard hunt.
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Stock emergency supplies and assemble a
Disaster Supplies Kit.
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Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
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Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each
room.
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Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
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Quiz your kids every six months or so.
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Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
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Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
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Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's
instructions.
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Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a
year.
From Your Family Disaster Plan developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and by the American Red Crosstop
Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
From Your Family Disaster Plan developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and by the American Red Cross
