Where will your family be when disaster strikes? At home? School? Work? Will you be able to contact each other? Will you know how to stay safe? 

Building a family disaster plan is half the formula for disaster safety. The other is making sure your family knows the drill. Conduct a drill at least once a year to keep family members safety smart.

Create a Plan 

• Set a family meeting to talk about the types of disasters and the dangers that could take place. Plan to work together and share responsibilities as a team. Get your kids involved with fun activities. 

• Review your property insurance coverage -- consider purchasing flood insurance. Keep an updated photo and/or video inventory of your personal belongings, furniture and children. Store a duplicate copy away from your home.  

• Purchase a NOAA weather radio and pay attention to the latest information from the National Weather Service.  

• Make sure the street number of your house is clearly visible from the road so emergency vehicles can easily locate you.

Set Up a Family Meeting Place

• Pick two places to meet your family. Meet outside your home in case of a sudden emergency or at a friend's or neighbor's house in case you can't return home.  

• Be sure that everyone knows the address and phone number for each of your meet-up locations. It's best to write down the address and phone number and carry it with you.

Determine an Emergency Contact

Ask an out-of-town friend to be your emergency contact. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are located. Everyone must know this person's phone number.