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HURRICANE FLASH FLOOD FIRE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILL EARTHQUAKE TORNADO WINTER STORM

W Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can forceyou to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your

home. What would you do if basic serviceswater, gas,

electricity or telephoneswere cut off? Local officials and

relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but theycannot reach everyone right away.

Families canand docope with disaster by preparing in

advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps

listed in this brochure to create your familys disaster plan.

Knowing what to do is your best protection and your

responsibility.

YourFamily Disaster Plan

here will your

family be when

disaster strikes? They

could be anywhere

at work

at school

or in the car.

How will you find

each other? Will you

know if your children

are safe?

Your Family D Plan (F) 4/28/97, 5:57 PM1

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(name)

outside your neighborhood

4Steps to Safety

Fill out, copy and distribute to all family members

Locate the main electric fuse box, waterservice main and natural gas main.Learn how and when to turn theseutilities off. Teach all responsible

family members. Keep necessary toolsnear gas and water shut-off valves.

Remember, turn off the utilities only ifyou suspect the lines are damaged or ifyou are instructed to do so. If you turnthe gas off, you will need a professionalto turn it back on.

UTILITIES

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Keep enough supplies in your hometo meet your needs for at least threedays. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kitwith items you may need in an evacua-

tion. Store these supplies in sturdy,easy-to-carry containers such as back-packs, duffle bags or covered trashcontainers.

Include:

s A three-day supply of water (onegallon per person per day) andfood that wont spoil.

s One change of clothing and foot-wear per person, and one blanketor sleeping bag per person.

s A first aid kit that includes yourfamilys prescription medications.

s Emergency tools including a bat-tery-powered radio, flashlight andplenty of extra batteries.

s An extra set of car keys and a creditcard, cash or travelers checks.

s Sanitation supplies.

s Special items for infant, elderly ordisabled family members.

s An extra pair of glasses.

Keep important family documents in awaterproof container. Keep a smallerkit in the trunk of your car.

2

Create a Disaster PlanMeet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain thedangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibili-ties and work together as a team.

t Discuss the types of disasters that are

most likely to happen. Explain whatto do in each case.

t Pick two places to meet:

1. Right outside your home in case ofa sudden emergency, like a fire.

2. Outside your neighborhood incase you cant return home.Everyone must know the address andphone number.

t Ask an out-of-state friend to be your

family contact. After a disaster, itsoften easier to call long distance.Other family members shouldcall this person and tell them wherethey are. Everyone must know yourcontacts phone number.

t Discuss what to do in an evacuation.Plan how to take care of your pets.

Find Out What Could Happen to YouContact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American RedCross chapter be prepared to take notes:

t Ask what types of disasters are mostlikely to happen. Request infor-mation on how to prepare for each.

t Learn about your communityswarning signals: what they soundlike and what you should do whenyou hear them.

t Ask about animal care after disaster.Animals may not be allowed inside

emergency shelters due to healthregulations.

t Find out how to help elderly ordisabled persons, if needed.

t Next, find out about the disasterplans at your workplace, yourchildrens school or daycare center

and other places where your familyspends time.

41

Family Disaster Plan

outside your home

day evening

Emergency Meeting Place

Meeting Place Phone

Address

Family Contact

Phone( ) Phone( )


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3

HOME HAZARD HUNT

During a disaster, ordinary objectsin your home can cause injury ordamage. Anything that can move,

fall, break or cause a fire is a homehazard. For example, a hot waterheater or a bookshelf can fall.Inspect your home at least once ayear and fix potential hazards.

Contact your local fire departmentto learn about home fire hazards.

t Test your smoke detectors monthlyand change the batteries at least oncea year.

Jan. t July t

Feb. t Aug.t

Mar. t Sep. t

Apr. t Oct. t

May t Nov.t

June t Dec. t

Change batteries in each year. (month)

Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your

neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disas-ter until help arrives. If youre a member of a neighborhood organization,

such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster pre-

paredness 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 child

care in case parents cant get home.

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

t Quiz your kids every six months sothey remember what to do.

t Conduct fire and emergencyevacuation drills.

Year Drill Date

t Replace stored water every threemonths and stored food every sixmonths.

t Test and recharge your fireextinguisher(s) according tomanufacturers instructions.

4

Practice and Maintain Your P lan

Evacuate immediately if toldto do so:

s Listen to your battery-poweredradio and follow the instructionsof local emergency officials.

s Wear protective clothing andsturdy shoes.

s Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

s Lock your home.

s Use travel routes specified bylocal authorities dont useshortcuts because certain areasmay be impassable or dangerous.

If youre sure you have time:s Shut off water, gas and electricity

before leaving, if instructed to do so.

s Post a note telling others when youleft and where you are going.

s Make arrangements for your pets.

EVACUATION

t Post emergency telephone numbersby phones (fire, police, ambulance,etc.).

t Teach children how and when to call911 or your local Emergency MedicalServices number for emergency help.

t Show each family member how andwhen to turn off the water, gas andelectricity at the main switches.

t Check if you have adequate insurancecoverage.

t Teach each family member how touse the fire extinguisher (ABC type),and show them where its kept.

Complete This Checklist

t Install smoke detectors on each levelof your home, especially nearbedrooms.

t Conduct a home hazard hunt.

t Stock emergency supplies andassemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.

t Take a Red Cross first aid and CPRclass.

t Determine the best escape routesfrom your home. Find two ways outof each room.

t Find the safe spots in your home foreach type of disaster.


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IF DISASTER STRIKES

If disaster strikes

Remain calm and patient. Put your

plan into action.

Check for injuries

Give first aid and get help for seri-

ously injured people.

Listen to your batterypowered radio fornews and instructions

Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wearprotective clothing and sturdy shoes.

bleaches, gasoline and otherflammable liquids immediately.

Check for damage inyour home. . .

s Use flashlights do not light

matches or turn on electrical

switches, if you suspect damage.

s Check for fires, fire hazards and

other household hazards.

s 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.

s Shut off any other damaged

utilities.

s Clean up spilled medicines,

The Federal Emergency Management Agencys Community and Family Preparedness Program and the American RedCross 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. Thisbrochure and other preparedness materials are available by calling FEMA at 1-800-480-2520, or writing: FEMA, P.O.Box 2012, Jessup, MD 20794-2012.Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at:FEMAs Web site: http://www.fema.gov

American Red Cross Web site: http://www.redcross.org

Local sponsorship provided by:

Remember to. . .

s Confine or secure your pets.

s Call your family contactdo not use the telephone againunless it is a life-threateningemergency.

s Check on your neighbors, espe-cially elderly or disabled persons.

s Make sure you have an adequatewater supply in case service iscut off.

s Stay away from downed powerlines.

September 1991FEMA L-191ARC 4466

Ask for: Are You Ready?, Your FamilyDisaster Supplies KitandFood & Water

in an Emergency.


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