How To Create Your Family Emergency Preparedness Plan
How
To Create Your Family Emergency Preparedness Plan
EDUCATE
YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY (see
the www.ICOE.US
resources list)
Learn what disasters may
strike your area (e.g., earthquake, hurricane, flood, fire)
Learn what hazards are
located in your area (e.g., dams, chemical plants, bridges)
Learn where your evacuation
shelters are located
Learn your community’s
evacuation routes
Learn the disaster plan at
your place of work
Learn the disaster
plan at your child’s school, including how the school plans to reunite
children and families if a disaster strikes during school hours.
PREPARATION
ACTIVITIES YOU SHOULD DO AND ADDRESS WITH YOUR FAMILY:
Post emergency phone numbers by
your telephones
Teach children how and when to call
9-1-1
for emergency help
Show each family member how and
when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches
Be sure to have adequate insurance
coverage Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near
bedrooms
Teach each family member how to use
the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it is kept
Stock emergency supplies and
assemble an Emergency Supply Kit (examples follow in the next section)
Determine the best escape routes
from your home. Find two ways out of each room
Take a first aid and CPR class
Find the safe spots in your home
for each type of disaster
CREATE
A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN (see
the ReadyPlan™ Emergency Planning
& Emergency Response Book)
Have a family meeting to create an
emergency plan
Make sure everyone knows the plan
Identify two different routes to
get out of the house in case you must leave to be safe
Identify safe places in your home
in case you must stay inside
Identify places for your family to
meet in case all of you are not in your home at the time of disaster
Identify a family
contact person (neighbor, friend, or relative) who the members of your family
can contact in case of separation
Identify a contact
person outside of your state
Write these
contact names and phone numbers on your Family Preparedness Card
-
Make a plan to keep
your pets safe
-
Make an emergency
supply kit for your home, car, and workplace
-
Know how to turn
off electricity, gas, and water
DEVELOP
A FAMILY COMMUNICATION PLAN (see
the ReadyPlan™ Emergency Planning
& Emergency Response Book)
Fill out and carry
the ICOE Emergency Response Wallet
Card
Make sure your
family members are familiar with important phone numbers. These can include:
-
School
-
After school Care
-
Child’s Cell Phone, Family/Work
Cell Phone
-
Relative/Friend
-
Out of State Emergency Contact
-
Doctor,
Hospital, Insurance, Fire, Police Information (non-emergency numbers – use 911
only in life-threatening emergencies)
-
Pharmacy, Mental Health Agency
-
Veterinarian
-
Local Red Cross
-
Highway Road Conditions
CREATE
AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
Think Ahead. Your family needs
supplies to last at least three days. Pack them in containers that are easy to
carry. You may need more than one kit if you have a large family. Store your
supply kits in a secure place.
Food and Water. Have a gallon of
water per person for each day. Pack foodstuffs that will not spoil and do not
need to be cooked. For canned products, have a hand-operated can opener. Include
baby food if needed, and food and water for any pets.
Blankets. Have one warm blanket for
each member of the family.
Tools. Include a flashlight and
extra batteries in your kit. Have a portable radio, with extra batteries.
Include a wrench to turn off gas, water, and a fire extinguisher.
First-aid Kit. Pack a first-aid
kit, including any prescription medications that your family needs. Include an
extra pair of glasses for family members with prescription lenses.
Sanitation supplies. Have toilet
paper or tissues, feminine products, wipes, and anti-bacterial hand gels.
Consider plastic trash bags for used food containers and other items such as
dirty diapers.
Personal items. Be sure to have an
extra set of car and house keys. Have a credit card and cash. Have copies of
important family documents (passports, social security cards, insurance
information, etc.) in the kit.
Extras. In the event of an
emergency, you may be staying in a shelter for several days, so pack a book,
playing cards, or a pad with crayons or pencils.
RECOMMENDED
SUPPLIES KIT - CONTENTS
There
are six basics you should stock for your home: (1) water, (2) food, (3) first
aid supplies, (4) clothing and bedding, (5) tools and emergency supplies, and
(6) special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an
evacuation in an easy-to carry container. Possible
containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a
duffle bag.
Note:
"Disaster Supplies Kit." developed by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross.
Water
Store water in plastic containers
such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break,
such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink
at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical
activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will
need more.
Store one gallon of water per
person per day.
Keep at least a three-day supply of
water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your
household for food preparation/sanitation).*
Food
Store at least a three-day supply
of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation
or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.
Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the
following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits,
and vegetables
Canned juices
Staples (salt, sugar, pepper,
spices, etc.)
High energy foods
Vitamins
Food for infants
Comfort/stress foods
First
Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for
each car. (see the www.ICOE.US website for kits and supplies.
Also prepare and keep your ReadyLifeline™
Personal Medical History & Emergency Response Book with you to deal with
medical emergencies).
(20) Adhesive bandages, various
sizes.
(1) 5" x 9" sterile
dressing.
(1) Conforming roller gauze
bandage.
(2) Triangular bandages.
(2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
(2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
(1) Roll 3" cohesive bandage.
2) Germicidal hand wipes or
waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
(6) Antiseptic wipes.
(2) Pair large medical grade
non-latex gloves.
Adhesive tape, 2" width.
Anti-bacterial ointment.
Cold pack.
Scissors (small, personal).
Tweezers.
CPR breathing barrier, such as a
face shield.
Non-Prescription
Drugs
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain
reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce
vomiting if advised by the Poison
Control Center)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised
by the Poison Control Center)
Tools
and Supplies
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates,
and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual*
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Fire extinguisher: small canister
ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off
household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of the area (for locating
shelters)
Sanitation
Toilet paper, towelettes*
Soap, liquid detergent*
Feminine supplies*
Personal hygiene items*
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for
personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Clothing
and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and
footwear per person.
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Rain gear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses
Special
Items
Remember family members with
special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons
For
Baby
Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Powdered milk
Medications
For
Adults
Heart and high blood pressure
medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Contact lenses and supplies
Extra eye glasses
Entertainment
Games and books
Important
Family Documents (see the ReadyHome™ Personal Planning and Emergency Response Book)
Keep these records in a waterproof,
portable container:
Will, insurance policies, contracts
deeds, stocks and bonds
Passports, social security cards,
immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers and
companies
Inventory of valuable household
goods, important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage,
death certificates)
Store your kit in a convenient
place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in
the trunk of your car.
Keep items in airtight plastic
bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at
least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
Ask your physician or pharmacist
about storing prescription medications.
EMERGENCY
CAR KIT (see the www.ICOE.US
website for kits and supplies).
Always keep your automobile gas
tank about 1/2 full (particularly in cold weather).
Battery
powered radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Blanket
Booster cables
Fire Extinguisher (5lb. ABC type)
First aid kit and manual
Bottled water and non-perishable
high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins, and peanut butter
Maps
Shovel
Tire repair kit and pump
Flares
BE
INFORMED
During
and after an emergency, keep informed about up-to-the-minute risk and safety
information (e.g., hazardous conditions, school closings, updated evacuation
plans) on radio, television, and hotline telephone numbers.
UPDATE
AND PRACTICE
Every 6 months: Review your
disaster plan with the whole family
Conduct fire and emergency
evacuation drills to test your plan
Replace stored water every three
months and stored food every six months
Test and recharging your fire
extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instruction
Update and refresh your emergency
supply kit
Test your smoke detectors monthly
and changing the batteries at least once a year
Once per year: update your ICOE
Emergency Response Wallet Card
Much
of this information is taken from "Family Disaster Plan" developed by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross. For
more information about emergency kits as well as disaster preparedness in your
area, contact your local American Red Cross Chapter or visit their website at www.redcross.org.
Other useful sites for emergency information:
How To Create An Emergency Plan
