| Disaster has been striking our nation, and the | | | | keep at home or work. |
| world, recently - earthquakes, tornadoes, severe | | | | The final component of your emergency plan is |
| flooding, tsunamis, hurricanes ... What would you | | | | to protect your personal documents. You should |
| do if one of these disasters happened to you? | | | | store all of your important family records in a fire |
| - Does your family have a plan outlining the steps | | | | and water-proof container. In the midst of a |
| you need to take in an emergency? | | | | horrible disaster, the last thing you want to have |
| - Do you have a good disaster supplies kit | | | | happen is to have to find a way to prove who |
| prepared and easily accessible? | | | | you are. You'll want to be able to access money |
| - What will you do when it's actually time to | | | | from your banks, but won't be able to without |
| evacuate? | | | | bank account numbers, and proof of identification. |
| DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE A PLAN OUTLINING | | | | It's also a good idea to make copies of these |
| STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE IN AN EMERGENCY? | | | | documents and put them in a folder in your |
| The first component of your emergency plan | | | | "disaster supplies kit" that you will bring with you. |
| should be to make sure your family knows how | | | | DO YOU HAVE A GOOD DISASTER SUPPLIES |
| to respond to any possible danger. What would | | | | KIT READY? |
| you do in the case of a fire, severe weather, or | | | | When preparing for a possible emergency |
| an earthquake? You cannot assume your family | | | | situation, it's best to think first about the basics of |
| will be together at the time of an emergency. | | | | survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. |
| Each member needs to be equipped with | | | | Some people call putting these things together an |
| knowledge on how to respond. It is a great idea | | | | emergency kit, a disaster supplies kit, or an |
| to make a one page summary of each type of | | | | emergency car kit. Your kit should be in a |
| emergency that is likely to occur in your area. Set | | | | portable container located near an exit of your |
| aside one evening each week to go over one | | | | house. Most importantly, you will want to include |
| scenario with your family. Do this for a few | | | | fresh water, and your 72 hour food kit. You will |
| weeks in a row. This is a great chance to make | | | | also want to include items for warmth and |
| sure they understand and enable you to answer | | | | shelter, tools, first aid supplies, communication |
| any questions or concerns they may have. | | | | sources, money, important papers and personal |
| Once you have a general plan for any situation | | | | sanitation items. You never know what disaster |
| you will need to nail down some specific details | | | | could strike, so it's best to be fully prepared. |
| which will be relevant in ALL emergencies such as | | | | WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN IT'S ACTUALLY |
| communication, contacts, meeting spots, etc. You | | | | TIME TO EVACUATE? |
| will need to ensure that your communications | | | | You will need to think quickly if you have to |
| streams are effective. Your family members | | | | evacuate your home. Deciding what to do in the |
| should all have contact information for key people | | | | middle of a crisis is not the best time. Plan ahead! |
| such as a relative out of state, a contact person | | | | Make sure you have your entire emergency plan |
| in your neighborhood, emergency phone numbers, | | | | in place. Have your disaster supplies kit ready and |
| etc. You will need to be able to coordinate in case | | | | easily accessible. Turn off utilities such as water, |
| you get separated or normal means of | | | | gas, and electricity before you leave. Let others |
| communication are not available. Having an out of | | | | know where you are going. Have specified escape |
| state contact is especially important as typically | | | | routes in place including how to exit your house, |
| they will be easier to get a hold of than someone | | | | your evacuation route, and a backup route (or |
| in the middle of the crisis. One thing that will help | | | | follow the routes outlined by local officials). If you |
| with communication is to determine where your | | | | have done everything possible to prepare for this |
| family will meet in an emergency. What if your | | | | moment, you should be able to face the |
| house is inaccessible due to road closures? Do you | | | | emergency with confidence and the ability to |
| have a back up location? Ask your child's school | | | | survive. |
| for a copy of their emergency plan for you to | | | | |