Federal Emergency Management
Agency
American Red Cross
Disaster
can strike quickly and with out warning.
It can force you to evacuate you neighborhood or confine you to your
home. What would you do if basic
services-water, gas, electricity or telephones- were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be
on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.
Families can-and do-cope with disaster by preparing in
advance and working together as a team.
Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create your family’s
disaster plan. Knowing what to do is
your best protection and your responsibility.
4 Steps to Safety
1
Find Out What Could Happen to You
Contact your local emergency management or civil defense
office and American Red Cross chapter-be prepared to take notes:
- Ask
what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare
for each.
- Learn
about your community’s warning signals: what they sound like and what you
should do when you hear them.
- Ask
about animal care after disaster.
Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health
regulations.
- Find
out how to help elderly or disable persons, if needed.
- Next,
find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s
school or daycare center and other places where your family spends
time.
2
Create a Disaster Plan
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare
for disaster. Explain the dangers of
fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
- Discuss
the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
- Pick
two places to meet:
1.
Right outside you home in case of a sudden emergency, like a
fire.
2.
Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Everyone must know the address and
phone number.
- Ask an
out-of-state friend to be your “family contact”. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long
distance. Other family members
should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone
number.
- Discuss
what to do in an evacuation. Plan
how to take care of your pets.
3
Complete This Checklist
- Post
emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.)
- Teach
children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services
number for emergency help.
- Show
each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity
at the main switches.
- Check
if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Teach
each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show
them where it’s kept.
- Install
smoke detectors on each level of you home, especially near bedrooms.
- Conduct
a home hazard hunt.
- Stock
emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take
Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine
the best escape routes from your home.
Find two ways out of each room.
- Find
the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz
your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
- Conduct
fire and emergency evacuation drills
- Year Drill
Date
- Year
Drill Date
- Replace
stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
- Test
and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
- Test
your smoke detectors monthly and charge the batteries at least once a
year.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the
neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you’re a member of a neighborhood
organization, such as home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster
preparedness as a new activity. Know
your neighbors’ special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you
could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly
persons. Make plans for childcare in
case parents can’t get home.
Emergency Supplies
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet you needs for at
least three days. Assemble a Disaster
Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy to
carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers.
Include:
- A
three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that
won’t spoil.
- One
change of clothing and foot wear per person, and one blanket or sleeping
bag per person.
- A
first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.
- Emergency
tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra
batteries.
- An
extra set of car keys and credit card, cash or traveler’s checks.
- Special
items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
- Sanitation
supplies.
- An
extra pair of glasses.
Keep important family documents in a waterproof
container. Keep a smaller kit in the
trunk of your car.
Utilities
Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and
natural gas main. Learn how and when to
turn these utilities off. Teach all
responsible family members. Keep necessary
tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the line are damaged or if
you are instructed to do so. If you
turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.
Home Hazard Hunt
During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause
injury or damage. Anything that can
move, fall or break or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall.
Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential
hazards.
Contact your local fire departments to learn about home fire
hazards.
Evacuation
Evacuate immediately if told to do so:
- Listen
to your batter-powered radio and follow instructions of local emergency
officials.
- Wear
protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Take
your Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Lock
you home.
- Use
travel routes specified by local authorities- don’t use shortcuts because
certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
If you’re sure you have time:
- Shut
off water, gas and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.
- Post
a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
- Make
arrangements for you pets.
If Disaster Strikes
If disaster strikes
Check for injuries
Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
Listen to you battery powered radio for news and instructions
Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
Check for damage in your home…
- Use
flashlights-do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you
suspect damage.
- Check
for fires, fires hazards and other household hazards.
- Sniff
for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas
valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
- Shut
off any other damaged utilities
- Clean
up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids
immediately.
Remember to…
- Confine
or secure your pets.
- Call
you family contact-do not use the telephone again unless it is a
life-threatening emergency.
- Check
on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
- Make
sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off
- Stay
away from downed power lines.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community and
Family Preparedness Program and the American Red Cross Community Disaster
Education Program are nationwide efforts to help people prepare for disasters
of all types. For more information, please
contact your local emergency management office and American Red Cross
chapter. This brochure and other
preparedness materials are available by calling FEMA at 1-900-480=2520, or
writing: FEMA, P.O. Box 2012, Jessup, MD 20794-2012
Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at:
FEMA’s Web site: http://www.fema.gov
American Red Cross Web site: http://www.redcross.org
Ask for: Are You Ready? Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit
and Food & Water in an Emergency.