Make a Plan
Choose an "Out-of-Town" Contact. Ask an out-of-town friend
or relative to be your contact. Following a disaster, family
members should call this person and tell them where they are.
Everyone must know the contact's phone numbers. After a
disaster, it is often easier to make a long distance call than a
local call from a disaster area.
or relative to be your contact. Following a disaster, family
members should call this person and tell them where they are.
Everyone must know the contact's phone numbers. After a
disaster, it is often easier to make a long distance call than a
local call from a disaster area.
Decide Where to Meet. In the event of an emergency, you may
become separated from family members. Choose a place right
outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
Choose a location outside your neighborhood in case you can't
return home.
become separated from family members. Choose a place right
outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
Choose a location outside your neighborhood in case you can't
return home.
Complete a Family Communication Plan. Your plan should
include contact information for family members, work and
school. Your plan should also include information for your
out-of-town contact, meeting locations, emergency services and
the National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222). A
sample form for recording this information can be found at
www.ready.gov - or at www.redcross.org/contactcard. These
websites also provide blank wallet cards on which contact
information can be recorded and carried in a wallet, purse,
backpack, etc., for quick reference. Teach your children how to
call the emergency phone numbers and when it is appropriate to
do so. Be sure each family member has a copy of your
communication plan and post it near your telephone for use in
an emergency.
include contact information for family members, work and
school. Your plan should also include information for your
out-of-town contact, meeting locations, emergency services and
the National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222). A
sample form for recording this information can be found at
www.ready.gov - or at www.redcross.org/contactcard. These
websites also provide blank wallet cards on which contact
information can be recorded and carried in a wallet, purse,
backpack, etc., for quick reference. Teach your children how to
call the emergency phone numbers and when it is appropriate to
do so. Be sure each family member has a copy of your
communication plan and post it near your telephone for use in
an emergency.
Escape Routes and Safe Places. In a fire or other
emergency, you may need to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
Be ready to get out fast. Be sure everyone in your family knows
the best escape routes out of your home as well as where the
safe places are in your home for each type of disaster. Use a
blank sheet of paper to draw floor plans of your home. Show the
location of doors, windows, stairways, large furniture, your
disaster supplies kit, fire extinguisher, smoke alarms,
collapsible ladders, first-aid kits, and utility shut-off points. Show
important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways,
elevators, driveways, and porches. See illustration below.
Indicate at least two escape routes from each room, and mark a
place outside of the home where household members should
meet in case of fire. If you or someone in your household uses a
wheelchair, make all exits from your home wheelchair
accessible. Practice emergency evacuation drills at least two
times a year, but as often as you update your escape plan.
emergency, you may need to evacuate on a moment’s notice.
Be ready to get out fast. Be sure everyone in your family knows
the best escape routes out of your home as well as where the
safe places are in your home for each type of disaster. Use a
blank sheet of paper to draw floor plans of your home. Show the
location of doors, windows, stairways, large furniture, your
disaster supplies kit, fire extinguisher, smoke alarms,
collapsible ladders, first-aid kits, and utility shut-off points. Show
important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways,
elevators, driveways, and porches. See illustration below.
Indicate at least two escape routes from each room, and mark a
place outside of the home where household members should
meet in case of fire. If you or someone in your household uses a
wheelchair, make all exits from your home wheelchair
accessible. Practice emergency evacuation drills at least two
times a year, but as often as you update your escape plan.
Plan for those with disabilities and other special needs.
Keep support items in a designated place, so they can be
found quickly. For those who have home-health caregivers,
particularly for those who are bed-bound, it is essential to have
an alternate plan if the home-health caregiver cannot make it to
you. In advance, provide the power company with a list of all
power-dependent life support equipment required by family
members. Develop a contingency plan that includes an
alternate power source for the equipment or relocating the
person.
Keep support items in a designated place, so they can be
found quickly. For those who have home-health caregivers,
particularly for those who are bed-bound, it is essential to have
an alternate plan if the home-health caregiver cannot make it to
you. In advance, provide the power company with a list of all
power-dependent life support equipment required by family
members. Develop a contingency plan that includes an
alternate power source for the equipment or relocating the
person.
Plan for your pets. Take your pets with you if you evacuate.
However, be aware that pets (other than service animals)
usually are not permitted in emergency public shelters for
health reasons. Prepare a list of family, friends, boarding
facilities, veterinarians, and “pet-friendly” hotels that could
shelter your pets in an emergency.
However, be aware that pets (other than service animals)
usually are not permitted in emergency public shelters for
health reasons. Prepare a list of family, friends, boarding
facilities, veterinarians, and “pet-friendly” hotels that could
shelter your pets in an emergency.
Action Check List- Items To Do Before a Disaster
Utilities
Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the
main switches or valves and share this information with your
family and caregivers. Keep any tools you will need near gas
and water shut off valves. Turn off the utilities only if you
suspect the lines are damaged, you suspect a leak or if local
officials instruct you to do so. (Note: Gas shut-off procedure -
As part of the learning process, do not actually turn off the gas.
If the gas is turned off for any reason, only a qualified
professional can turn it back on. It might take several weeks
for a professional to respond. In the meantime, you will require
alternate sources to heat your home, make hot water, and
cook.)
Know how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity at the
main switches or valves and share this information with your
family and caregivers. Keep any tools you will need near gas
and water shut off valves. Turn off the utilities only if you
suspect the lines are damaged, you suspect a leak or if local
officials instruct you to do so. (Note: Gas shut-off procedure -
As part of the learning process, do not actually turn off the gas.
If the gas is turned off for any reason, only a qualified
professional can turn it back on. It might take several weeks
for a professional to respond. In the meantime, you will require
alternate sources to heat your home, make hot water, and
cook.)
Fire Extinguisher
Be sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguishers
(ABC type) and where they are kept.
Be sure everyone knows how to use your fire extinguishers
(ABC type) and where they are kept.
Smoke Alarms
Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially
near the bedrooms. Individuals with sensory disabilities
should consider installing smoke alarms that have strobe
lights and vibrating pads. Follow local codes and
manufacturer’s instructions about installation requirements.
Also, consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your
home.
Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially
near the bedrooms. Individuals with sensory disabilities
should consider installing smoke alarms that have strobe
lights and vibrating pads. Follow local codes and
manufacturer’s instructions about installation requirements.
Also, consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your
home.
Inventory Home Possessions
Make a record of your possessions to help you claim
reimbursement in case of loss or damage. Store this
information in a safe deposit box or other secure (flood/fire
safe) location to ensure the records survive a disaster.
Include photographs or video of the interior and exterior of
your home as well as cars, boats and recreational vehicles.
Also, have photos of durable medical equipment and be sure
to make a record of the make and model numbers for each
item. Get professional appraisals of jewelry, collectibles,
artwork, or other items that may be difficult to evaluate. Make
copies of receipts and canceled checks showing the cost for
valuable items.
Make a record of your possessions to help you claim
reimbursement in case of loss or damage. Store this
information in a safe deposit box or other secure (flood/fire
safe) location to ensure the records survive a disaster.
Include photographs or video of the interior and exterior of
your home as well as cars, boats and recreational vehicles.
Also, have photos of durable medical equipment and be sure
to make a record of the make and model numbers for each
item. Get professional appraisals of jewelry, collectibles,
artwork, or other items that may be difficult to evaluate. Make
copies of receipts and canceled checks showing the cost for
valuable items.
Vital Records and Documents
Vital family records and other important documents such as
birth and marriage certificates, social security cards,
passports, wills, deeds, and financial, insurance, and
immunizations records should be kept in a safe deposit box
or other safe location.
Vital family records and other important documents such as
birth and marriage certificates, social security cards,
passports, wills, deeds, and financial, insurance, and
immunizations records should be kept in a safe deposit box
or other safe location.
Reduce Home Hazards
In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury
and damage. Take these steps to reduce your risk. Have a
professional repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas
connections. Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves
and hang pictures and mirrors away from beds. Use straps
or other restraints to secure tall cabinets, bookshelves, large
appliances (especially water heater, furnace, and
refrigerator), mirrors, shelves, large picture frames, and light
fixtures to wall stud
In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury
and damage. Take these steps to reduce your risk. Have a
professional repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas
connections. Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves
and hang pictures and mirrors away from beds. Use straps
or other restraints to secure tall cabinets, bookshelves, large
appliances (especially water heater, furnace, and
refrigerator), mirrors, shelves, large picture frames, and light
fixtures to wall stud
