safety plan ( family plan )

Gather information.

    What disasters or hazards are most likely in your community? For your home?
    How would you be warned?
    How should you prepare for each?

Know the warning signals for your area.

    Learn the warning systems for your community.
    Be sure you can hear or see the appropriate warning from your home.

Obtain insurance for your family and home.

    Check your homeowners insurance.
    Get additional coverage for situations that may not be covered.

Stay alert for emergency broadcasts.

    Emergency Alert System broadcasts (radio, TV)
    NOAA weather radio alerts
    News sources – radio, television, internet

Choose a post-hazard meeting place for your family.

    A safe distance from your home for sudden emergencies (e.g., fire).
    Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
    Learn where area evacuation shelters are located.

Make a family communication plan.

    Know how you will contact each other if you are at work, school or other location.
    Have an out-of-state friend or relative serve as an emergency contact for everyone to call
    Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including neighborhood contacts.
    Give emergency numbers to all family members and post by every phone.

Make a family emergency supply kit.

    You may need to survive on your own temporarily until you can get assistance.
    Prepare a kit with 3 or more days of supplies (food, water, clothing).

Share the above information with your family.

    Meet with all members of your household.
    Discuss the types of hazards that could occur.
    Discuss your family’s plan.
    Practice your plans.

Plan how you and your neighbors could work together during a disaster.

    Create a neighborhood communication plan.
    Help neighbors with special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons.
    Make plans for the care of children, if parents cannot get home.
    Learn response plans for your children’s schools or child care facilities.

Don’t forget to include plans for your pets.
Family Emergency Plan Situations

Shelter-in-place

    Take immediate shelter wherever you are – home, work, school or in between – rather than entering into a hazardous situation.
    Used for situations such as severe storms, winter weather, biological emergencies.
    Time will vary; few hours to several days.

Evacuation

    Leaving your current location and seeking shelter at a safer place.
    For situations such as flood or chemical accidents.
    Time will vary; days, weeks - it may be never for some situations (e.g., flood).