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Why Talk About 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, such as 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. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your
responsibility.
Four Steps to
Safety
1. Find Out
What Could Happen to You
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Contact
Us or your local 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. Check out our
Disaster Threats in the
Mower County
area.
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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 persons and people with
mobility problems. We also
provide information
for people with disabilities and medical concerns
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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Right outside
your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
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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
(click
here for a printable copy!)
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In a disaster, ordinary
items in the home can cause injury and damage.
Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a
fire is a potential hazard.
Repair defective
electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
Fasten shelves securely.
Place large, heavy objects
on lower shelves.
Hang pictures and mirrors
away from beds.
Brace overhead light
fixtures.
Secure water heater. Strap
to wall studs.
Repair cracks in ceilings
or foundations.
Store weed killers,
pesticides, and flammable products away from heat
sources.
Place oily polishing rags
or waste in covered metal cans.
Clean and repair chimneys,
flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents.
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- 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, and 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 your
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.
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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.
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
Check for Damage in
Your Home...
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Use flashlights. Do
not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you
suspect damage.
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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.
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Shut off any other
damaged utilities. (You will need a professional to turn gas
back on.)
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Clean up spilled
medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids
immediately.
Remember
to...
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