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Related Links
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Preparation Tips
for Disasters & Emergencies:
Be Prepared!
Family Disaster
Plan
Families should be prepared for all hazards that
affect their area. NOAA's National Weather Service, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge each
family to develop a family disaster plan. 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? Disasters may 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?
Follow These Basic Steps to Create
a Family Disaster Plan
| I.
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Gather
information about hazards. Contact your
local National Weather Service office, emergency management
or civil defense 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. |
| II.
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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, such as a fire,
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.
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| III.
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Implement
your plan. (1) Post emergency telephone numbers
by phones; (2) Install safety features in your house, such
as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; (3) Inspect your
home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall,
break, or catch fire) and correct them; (4) 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; (5) Teach children how
and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services
number; (6) 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 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. |
| IV. |
Practice
and maintain your plan. Ask questions to make
sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers,
and safety rules. Conduct drills. Test your smoke detectors
monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Test
and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's
instructions. Replace stored water and food every six months. |
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 and a portable radio, flashlight
and plenty of extra batteries, an extra set of car keys, a credit
card or cash, and special items for infant, elderly, or disabled
family members.
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