Emergency Disaster Preparedness - 4 Crucial Aspects to an Escape Plan

With all the news recently regarding naturalhallway fire could block access from one room to
disasters and terrorism fears, it is easy to forgetthe next. Practice shutting off valves for gas,
that the most common emergency or disasterelectricity, etc..Don't really do it, just make sure
scenario effecting families are house fires. Homeeveryone knows where they are. Have a pair of
evacuation plans are crucial for every family andshoes, gloves and a flashlight or light stick near
might be used in many types of emergenciesevery bed. Make sure everyone knows where
requiring evacuation, but they are especiallythe Emergency Disaster Preparedness kit is, and
important for fire planning.make a plan for someone grabbing it when you
Taking the time to plan and practice can meanexit the house.
the difference between life and death. There are3. Have a plan in case you are separated - In
many aspect to consider, but the 4 most crucialadditions to having a gathering place designated
aspects to emergency disaster preparedness inoutside the home you need some other plans in
the home are related to escape.place as well. Have an out-of-state and
out-of-town person designated as a contact, for
1. Make a detailed map of your homeeach family to call in case you are separated. Try
2. Practice escape drillsand have the phone numbers memorized, inside
3. Have a plan in case you are separatedyour cell phone and posted by phones in the
4. Have and practice using an emergencyhouse.
preparedness kit or pack.4. Have and practice using you Emergency
Let's go over these four crucial aspects to anDisaster Preparedness Kit. - It has become
escape plan in detail.common place for people to think in terms of a
72 hour kit, but more and more, as you speak
1. Make a detailed map of your home - The mapwith experts in the field, they are recommending
should include all entries and exits, includinga five day kit. This has to do with everything
accessible windows. Label the primary andfrom how long it may take help to arrive in a
secondary escape route from each room. Labellarger scale disaster, to the better safe than
each room that someone sleeps in and whosorry mentality of having a bit more water and
sleeps there. Label the shut off valves for gas,food than you need, rather than a bit less. Once
water and electricity. Designate a gathering placeeither purchase or put together your kit, take the
on the map, that is outside the home.time to familiarize yourself with the items insides
2. Practice your escape plan - A plan is only asand how to use them. In an emergency situation,
good as the knowledge and comfort level of theit will be comforting to know what is there, and
people using it. Everyone in the family must knowimperative to not add stress by being confused
how to escape, whether through a door orby the contents.
through a window. In a two story home, you'llEmergency and Disaster Preparedness is not an
want to invest in a fire escape ladder that allowsoption. An ounce of forethought now, is worth a
you to descend from an upstairs window. Expertspound of reaction later.
recommend one in each room, especially if a