Prepare your Family Disaster Plan
Every family should prepare a family disaster plan. If a disaster strikes your neighborhood where will your family be? They could be at work, school, or in the car. How will you find each other? How will you know if your family is safe. The National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross suggests you develop and practice a family disaster plan and don't wait till the Hurricane is knocking at your door!
Here's how to get started...
I. Get information about possible disasters from Tom Woolf's Weather Works
A. Contact your region's National Weather Service office. Find out what kind of disasters could occur and what actions you should take.
B. Learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.
II. Sit down with your family to create a plan.
A. Discuss the information you have gathered.
B. Pick two places to meet, the National Weather Service suggests picking one spot outside of your home and one in your neighborhood incase you can't make it home.
C. Choose an friend or family member out of state for everyone to call if the family gets separated.
D. Discuss what to do if your advised to evacuate.
III. Implement your plan.
A. Post emergency phone numbers by phones.
B. Teach children how and when to call 911.
C. Have your family learn basic safety measures such as first aid, CPR, how to use a fire extinguisher, and how and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home.
D. Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
E. Keep a disaster supply kit:
1. Disaster supplies should be kept in an easy to carry container such as a back-pack or duffle bag.
2. Kits should include:
a. Enough water for 3 days (one gallon per person per day)
b. Food that won't spoil
c. Blankets or sleeping bags for each family member.
d. A first aide kit
e. Emergency tools, such as a NOAA Weather Radio, flashlights, and plenty of batteries.
f. Extra cash, and an extra set of car keys
IV. Practice and Maintain your plan!
IV. GO to my Emergency tools page! EMERGENCY TOOLS TO HAVE!
IV. RETURN to TOM WOOLF'S WEATHER WORKSCLICK HERE!