Create a Safety Plan (“Disaster Plan”) for your home,
work/school/daycare, and other locations where you and/or your family might be at
various times of the day and night.
1. Determine which types of disasters are most
likely to happen – for example, storms, flood,
hazardous materials, fire, home accidents, etc.
Learn the 5 stages of the
“threat conditions index”: green, low; blue,
guarded; yellow, elevated; orange, high; red, severe.
Learn your community’s
warning system and what to do when the warning system
is activated.
Determine what to do in case of each type of disaster
.
2. Determine the special needs and care necessary
for children, elderly, disabled and other vulnerable persons.
3. Select two “back-up” places to move if your home
is uninhabitable
1) Immediately outside your home in case of a
sudden emergency (e.g., fire)
2) Outside your neighborhood in the event you
cannot return to your home
4. Designate an out-of-state friend or family member
to be the family contact. After a disaster, it might be easier to make a
long-distance call and coordinate if family members have been separated.
(It’s helpful to designate someone
outside your immediate calling area since this will decrease the
odds that they are affected by the same situation with which you are
dealing.)
Make sure each member of the family carries with
them the name, address, phone number, cell phone and e- mail of this designated
family contact person.
5. Provide safety/shelter for your pets (be
aware that animals may not be allowed at shelter locations due to health
regulations, so have an alternate plan ready for pets).
6. Create “disaster survival kits” for 3 days of
being confined to your home, office/school/daycare and vehicle. (See “Recommended Emergency
Supplies” checklist on the following page.)
7. Periodically discuss and practice the evacuation
plan (at least twice a year).
1.
Post emergency phone
numbers by the phone – fire, police, ambulance – in many areas, one
call to 9-1-1 will suffice, but in some rural areas, 9-1-1 is not
available.
2. Make sure each person in the household has a list
of emergency and special family phone numbers that he/she can keep
in a billfold or purse.
3. Teach children how and when to utilize 9-1-1 or
other emergency numbers.
4. Teach each family member how and when to turn off
the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
5. Purchase a fire extinguisher (ABC type, minimum
5-lb.) and teach each family member how to use it.
6. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on
each level of your home. Be sure to change batteries regularly –
e.g., in Spring and Fall, when Daylight Savings Time begins or ends.
7. Conduct a “hazard hunt” in your home.
8. Assemble a disaster supply kit and stock
emergency supplies. Be prepared in case you are stranded at home,
school, work, or in your vehicle.
9. Determine escape routes from your home, school
or workplace.
10. Determine safe spots in your home for each type
of emergency.
1. A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person
per day)
2. Food that won’t spoil
a. Ready-to-eat meats, fruits, vegetables
b. Canned juices, soup
c. High-energy food (peanut butter, jelly, granola
bars, trail mix)
d. Vitamins
e. Special foods for infants (baby formula, etc.),
elderly, people with special dietary needs
3. One change of clothing and footwear per person;
blankets; sleeping bags
4. Special-needs items for elderly, disabled,
infants or other vulnerable persons
5. Extra pair of eyeglasses
6. First Aid kit, including prescription medications
a. General first-aid supplies
b. Prescription and non-prescription drugs
(antacids, anti-diarrhea, laxatives)
7. Emergency tools and materials
a. Adjustable wrench
b. Battery-powered radio- flashlight; extra
batteries
c. Blankets
d. Can opener
e. Duct tape, plastic sheeting to seal off doors and
windows
f. Fire extinguisher - ABC fire extinguisher
g. Matches in waterproof containers
h. Phone - cell phone and/or prepaid phone cards
i. Phone - change for pay phone (if available and in service)
j. Phone - hard-wired phone (“land line” not
cordless) – good if electricity is not out
k. Pliers
l. Utility knife
m. Whistle
8. Extra set of car keys; cash or traveler’s checks;
extra set of important documents in waterproof container (driver’s
license or other photo ID, passport, social security card, will, bank account
and credit card information, birth certificates, homeowner’s or renter’s
insurance policy information)
9. Sanitation supplies
a. Toilet paper
b. Soap
c. Pre-moistened towelettes
d. Feminine hygiene supplies
e. Personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste)
f. Disinfectant
g. Garbage bags
h. Bucket with a lid
i. Disinfectant
