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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.
Four Steps to Safety
1. Find Out What Could Happen to You
Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office before a disaster occurs--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 shelter care after a disaster. Animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations.
Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
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
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire and severe weather to your 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: Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire and 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.
Discus 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 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, electricity) at the main switches.
Check if you have adequate insurance coverage
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.
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 places in yoyr home for each type of disaster.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
Quiz your kids every six months or so.
Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
Replace stored water 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.
To get copies of American Red Cross community disaster education materials, contact your local Red Cross Chapter.
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