| This month's topic will address being prepared for | | | | You need to come up with a workable plan for |
| a disaster "as a family". We have all heard about | | | | your pet's safety, do not leave your pets alone |
| the six steps to becoming a safe family, but | | | | to fend for themselves. Make sure that they |
| given the different world that we live in today | | | | have collars with up to date information and |
| and the many brutal winter storms that have | | | | include a means of contacting you or your "family |
| been marching through much of the country, I | | | | contact". |
| believe these steps are well worth another look. | | | | Write an Evacuation plan: |
| The steps are: | | | | If you need to evacuate you home due to an |
| 1. Write a disaster plan | | | | evacuation notice issued by the authorities or if a |
| 2. Write an evacuation plan | | | | fire starts in your home, everyone needs to |
| 3. Learn about safety plans at work and school | | | | know exactly what to do. Any hesitation, |
| 4. Prepare for fires | | | | especially in case of a home fire can be fatal. |
| 5. Assemble disaster supplies | | | | If you prepare and then practice an escape plan, |
| 6. Learn lifesaving skills. | | | | you and your family will have a much better |
| As each one of these steps is important; we will | | | | chance of survival in case of an emergency. |
| look at them individually. | | | | Making a family escape plan has to involve all |
| Writing a disaster plan: | | | | family members. Pick a time when everyone is |
| There are a few things that I consider important | | | | home and sit down at the table and make your |
| under this first step. | | | | emergency escape plan. Include all of the children |
| When a disaster strikes, all of your family | | | | in the planning, so they feel part of the |
| members may not be together in one place. | | | | decision-making. |
| Your family should select two places to meet in | | | | · Make a floor plan of your home |
| an emergency situation. This is an easy task. Get | | | | · Find and least two ways out of each |
| the family together and let everyone make a | | | | room and mark them on the floor plan. Discuss |
| suggestion. | | | | the best escape routes with each family member |
| · In case of a household emergency, such | | | | and remember that windows can be used as |
| as a fire, pick a spot in the neighborhood to meet | | | | exits. Check that all family members can open all |
| and make sure that everyone knows exactly | | | | windows that you plan to use as exits. |
| where that spot is. | | | | · Pick a meeting location right outside the |
| · In a more widespread emergency, | | | | house, but out of harms way for everyone to |
| when all of your family may not be able to get | | | | meet after they have escaped the house. |
| home, or you must evacuate your neighborhood, | | | | Perhaps a neighbor's front porch would be a good |
| pick a second place outside of your immediate | | | | spot. It is very important that everyone goes to |
| neighborhood and make sure that all family | | | | the same place so that you will know if there is |
| members knows the address and phone number. | | | | anyone missing. |
| An out of town relative or friend may be your | | | | · Practice your plan to make sure |
| "family contact" place. If family members become | | | | everyone knows how to get out and is |
| separated, they should check with this contact as | | | | comfortable with the plan. |
| soon as possible. Everyone must know the | | | | Imagine that one of the room exits is blocked by |
| address, phone numbers and E-mail of the family | | | | debris or fire so that you can practice using the |
| contact. | | | | other exit. Practicing your plan a few times will |
| And last, but not least, plan how to take care of | | | | help all family members to feel comfortable with |
| your pet. | | | | it. |
| Our pets are an important part of the family, be | | | | · Remember, do not stop to call the Fire |
| sure that you plan now for their safety. You | | | | Department, just get out and stay out. Do not go |
| must establish a place to take your pets. | | | | back inside your home for any reason. There are |
| Emergency shelters cannot accept pets because | | | | no possessions that are worth a family members |
| of health regulations, so it may be very difficult to | | | | life. |
| find shelter for your pets in a disaster situation. | | | | Other things to consider while you are writing |
| Plan ahead for that eventuality now. | | | | your families escape plan. |
| You should also prepare a disaster supply kit for | | | | If your home is two-story, consider purchasing |
| your pet, and have it easily available when it is | | | | escape ladders for each bedroom. Practice using |
| needed. | | | | them and store them near the window. If the |
| It should include any medical records that you | | | | stairs are blocked with debris or fire, the up-stairs |
| may have, medications and a pet first aid kit. | | | | window may be your only escape route. |
| Remember to include, in your pet's survival kit, | | | | I know you already have smoke detectors on |
| any specific medical and behavior information | | | | every level of your home, now is a great time to |
| along with the veterinarian's name and phone | | | | test them. They should be tested at least once a |
| number. A leash and / or carriers that will be | | | | month. |
| required to transport your pet. Include some | | | | Well folks, that is all for this month. I will continue |
| food, water and a can opener, along with a photo | | | | with this important topic in our next newsletter. In |
| of your pet, in case he or she gets lost. | | | | the meantime, stay well and stay safe. |