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.
Four Steps to Safety
1. Find Out What Could Happen to You
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office before a
disaster occurs-be prepared to take notes.
Ask your local Red Cross for copies of American Red Cross community disaster education materials.
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Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on
how to prepare for each.
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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 or disabled persons, 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.
- Educate yourself and your family- OneStorm provides resources on many disaster topics to inform the public with valuable knowledge. Make your own unique disaster plan from our easy to follow, print-out version of OneStorm's Family Emergency Plan.
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
Home Hazard Hunt
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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.
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Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
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Fasten shelves securely.
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Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
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Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds.
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Brace overhead light fixtures.
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Secure water heater. Strap to wall studs.
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Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
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Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources.
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Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
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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.).
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Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical
Services number for emergency help.
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Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and
electricity) at the main switches.
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Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
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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.
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Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
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Conduct a home hazard hunthome hazard hunt.
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Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
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Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
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Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each
room.
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Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
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Quiz your kids every six months or so.
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Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
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Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
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Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's
instructions.
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Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a
year.
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
Tune into your NOAA Weather Radio.
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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Confine or secure your pets.
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Call your family contact- do not use the telephone again unless it is a
life-threatening emergency.
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Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
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Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
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Stay away from downed power lines.