DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN PREPARED?

Your Family 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, 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.

Family 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, and electricity) at the main switches.

• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage. More.....