The Professional Expert

Emergency Preparedness - Family Disaster Plan

It is a good time to review your family disaster planning - what to do in case of fire, flood, tornado, storm, or other emergency.

Know the most likely natural disasters for your area. Your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office can help you find out what they are.

With the family, go over the possible natural disasters and what to do in each case.

Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado:

Review:
Tornado WATCH: conditions are favorable for a tornado to form
Tornado WARNING: a tornado has been spotted

In the case of a severe storm, especially a tornado, the basement is the best place to be. If you do not have one, get real chummy with a neighbor who does or go to an interior room or hallway with no windows.

Fire:

Determine at least two ways to escape every room in your home.

Know how to use the escape ladder, if your sleeping areas are on the second or third floors.

Make sure everyone knows where to meet in case you need to evacuate. We meet at the mailbox or in front of the neighbor’s home if the mailbox is not an option.

Everyone should know how to use the fire extinguisher.

Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

Earthquake:

Choose a safe place in each room, such as under a table or desk. If nothing like that is available, choose an inside wall where nothing can fall on you.

Hurricane or Other Evacuation Situation:

Review:
Hurricane WATCH: hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours
Hurricane WARNING: hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours

Know where you would go if you needed to evacuate.  Choose several places such as a friend’s home in another city, a hotel, or a shelter. Know the location of your local shelters.

Determine how you would care for your pets in the case of an evacuation. Pets are not allowed at local shelters.

Have a local map on hand in case you need to take unfamiliar routes during an evacuation.

Keep important phone numbers including your evacuation destinations with the map.

Other Basics:

Make sure everyone in the family knows your address and phone number.

Decide on an out-of-state friend or relative to be the contact point for your family in case you get split up during an emergency. Everyone should know their number, too.

Even young children should know how to phone emergency services (i.e. 911). It is also a good idea to have a list of emergency phone numbers, including Poison Control by the phone.

Each family member should know how and when to turn off the utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity, at the main switches.

For more detailed information on disaster planning, visit the Red Cross at www.redcross.org.

Tomorrow we’ll discuss the supplies you should have handy…

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