| In the blink of an eye your life could change. | | | | Each family member should have a responsibility |
| Forever. | | | | and a function to streamline the departure |
| In this fast pace world, events can unfold rapidly. | | | | process and eliminate duplication of tasks. |
| Natural disasters such as fire, tornadoes and | | | | Rehearsing this verbally is a good practice on an |
| hurricanes occur each and every year. Now we | | | | annual basis. |
| find ourselves vulnerable to other disasters that | | | | Another preparation you can take is to have a |
| are man made. Terrorism will be with us through | | | | prearranged meeting place away from home |
| our lifetimes. This is a fact of life that may not be | | | | where your family can reunite in case an |
| pleasant for some to consider but sadly is true. | | | | emergency prevents you from returning to your |
| One never knows when a life-changing | | | | house. If phone lines and cell phones are not |
| emergency might occur close to you. When and if | | | | functioning, a known designated location can |
| it does take place you must be ready to act. | | | | provide a rendezvous point to gather. |
| Whether you must hunker down inside your own | | | | Finally, a good practice is to agree upon a selected |
| home, or you must evacuate and become mobile | | | | contact person, preferably in a distant state that |
| you need to be prepared. The first 72 hours | | | | can relay messages along to you and your local |
| immediately following a disaster are critical. You | | | | family members if you become separated due to |
| may not have access to electricity, water, food | | | | an immediate emergency in your area. If cell |
| or phone service. In the first 72 hours the first | | | | phones are disabled you will not be able to |
| responders such as medical emergency, fire | | | | communicate. However, if you can get to a pay |
| department or police may not be able to get to | | | | phone or telephone line to report your safety and |
| you. As hard as it is for some to comprehend, in | | | | location through a liaison, this can prevent much |
| the first few hours after a disastrous event you | | | | anxiety and worry. |
| may be totally own your own. | | | | Having a home disaster plan in place and having an |
| Your chance for survival will be entirely in your | | | | open discussion with your family is a wise move. |
| hands and up to you. It is a scary thought, and | | | | If and when it is time to act you can rest a bit |
| one that must be prepared for. | | | | easier knowing your family members will have |
| One of the preparations you can take is to have | | | | taken the first steps to guaranteeing their safety |
| an evacuation plan in place in case disaster strikes | | | | and survival. |
| and you need to leave your home immediately. | | | | |