Where 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?
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your
home. What would you do if basic services–water, gas, electricity or telephones–were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.
Families can–and do–cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create your family disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.
This guide will also teach you how to work with your neighbors. Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you’re a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness 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 can’t get home.
As you can see, setting up a family disaster plan is easy. Should you set one up? Yes, definitely! This is especially true since you can take advantage of this guide in order to set one up. Check this out so you and your family will know what to do in a disaster.
Topics Covered
- Emergency Supplies
- 4 Steps to Safety
- Find Out What Could Happen to You
- Create a Disaster Plan
- Complete This Checklist
- Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Utilities
- Home Hazard Hunt
- Neighbors Helping Neighbors
- Evacuation
- Things to Do if Disaster Strikes
