About Stevens
Disaster Planning at Home
Disaster can strike quickly at any time without notice. The best way to cope is to plan and prepare in advance with your family and neighbors. Discuss the potential types of disasters that could happen with your family or household. Develop a plan together.
Create an emergency communications plan. Choose an out-of-town contact your family will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur. Post local emergency numbers by your phones and teach children how and when to call 911. Make sure every household member has each other's phone numbers and e-mail addresses and the out-of-town contact's number.
Establish a meeting place. Have predetermined places to meet: 1) Right outside your home in case of a localized emergency, like a fire. 2) Outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Make sure everyone has the address and phone number of the meeting place. Also, be sure to include pet care in your plans, since pets are not permitted in many emergency shelters.
Assemble a disaster supply kit. Prepare emergency supplies to meet your needs for at least three days in case you need to evacuate your residence. Store these supplies in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container. Include: three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day); nonperishable food; one change of clothing and shoes; one blanket or sleeping bag per person; first-aid kit that includes prescriptions/medications; emergency tools—battery powered radio, flashlight plus extra batteries; extra set of car keys; cash/credit card; sanitation supplies; special items for infant, elderly or disabled household members; extra pair of glasses. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller emergency kit in the trunk of your car.
Check on the school emergency plan of any school-age children you have. You need to know the schools emergency plan: Will the school keep the child until a parent/guardian picks them up? Make sure the school has your child's updated information on how to reach parents or guardians. Ask what type of authorization they will require to release a child to someone you may designate if you are not able to pick up your child.
For more information, contact the American Red Cross chapter nearest you. Request a copy of the brochure titled Your Family Disaster Plan (A5075). Informational documents are available at www.redcross.org/services/disaster/ for your personal disaster planning.
