Your
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.
Families can--and do--cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working
together as a team. Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create
your family's disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection
and your responsibility.
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
1. 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 where your family spends time.
2. 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,
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 what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete This Checklist
_ Post
emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
_ Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical
Services number for emergency help.
_ Show each family member how and when to turn off the 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 (ABC type),
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 and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
_ Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
_ 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.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
_ 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.
_ 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:
_ A three-day
supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't
spoil.
_ One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or
sleeping bag per person.
_ A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
_ Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and
plenty of extra batteries.
_ An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
_ Sanitation supplies.
_ Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
_ An extra pair of glasses.
_ Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a
smaller kit in the trunk of your car.
UTILITIES
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.
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.
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
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.
HOME HAZARD HUNT
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 your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
EVACUATION
Evacuate immediately if told to do so:
_ Listen
to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency
officials.
_ Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
_ Take your family disaster supplies kit
_ Lock your home.
_ Use travel routes specified by local authorities--don't use shortcuts
because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
If you're sure you have time:
_ Shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving, if instructed
to do so.
_ Post a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
_ Make arrangements for your pets.
IF DISASTER
STRIKES -
If disaster
strikes, remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
Check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured
people.
Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions
Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
Check for damage in your home -
_ Use
flashlights--do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if
you suspect damage.
_ Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
_ 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.
_ Shut off any other damaged utilities.
_ Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable
liquids immediately.
Remember to...
_ Confine or secure your pets.
_ 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.
_ Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut
off.
_ Stay away from downed power lines.
The
Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program and the
American Red Cross' Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts
to help citizens prepare for disasters of all types. For more information,
please contact your local emergency management or civil defense office,
and your local American Red Cross chapter. Start planning now.
Local sponsorship provided by: The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
This information provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and
the American Red Cross. FEMA L-191, ARC 4466
|