Create A Disaster Plan For Your Family
In the midst of rushing through everyday life
, it's important to take a minute or two to prepare for emergencies. Being prepared helps you and your family minimize the impact of a disaster such as a hurricane or an emergency such as a broken leg.
Not being prepared could mean loss of your belongings, hunger and even cost you your life. Here we will discuss some of the basic things you need to do to develop a plan on how you and your family will react in an emergency.
The best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Make a family communications plan that includes an evacuation plan and coordinates with your school, work and community communication plans and practice this plan with your entire family.
Build a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. Remember to check your kit every six months.
This will include water, food, a first aid kit, extra clothing, tools, flashlights, etc. A proper disaster kit will include many other things but this gives you a general idea.
Families can, and do, cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Create a family disaster plan including a communication plan, disaster supplies kit and an evacuation plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection AND your responsibility.
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 where your family spends time.
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.
Write down all of these contact numbers and information on the family emergency contact card.
It is important to practice your plan. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
Local government officials, not the Red Cross, issue evacuation orders when disaster threatens. Listen to local radio and television reports when disaster threatens. If local officials ask you to leave, do so immediately; they have a good reason for making this request.
Coordinate your evacuation plan in advance when creating your family's disaster plan. Ensure that you've tested the evacuation routes and that you have planned several in the instance of closed roads and routes.
When disaster strikes, remember these simple tips: Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible. Take your disaster supplies kit.
Take your pets with you; do not leave them behind. Because pets are not permitted in public shelters, follow your plan to go to a relatives or friend's home, or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
Lock your home. Use travel routes specified by local authorities - don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
Stay away from downed power lines.
by: Jack Landry
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