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.