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Make
a Family Plan
Safe
America Kids want to be ready for any emergency. Having a plan reassures
everyone—especially kids. You will know that someone knows
where you are and that help will come soon. Help your family follow
these steps in making a plan—and practice your plan!
- Know
what you are doing before an emergency happens. Decisions made
during the emergency may be incomplete and wrong.
- Understand
that emergency situations are sometimes frightening and difficult
—especially if you are separated from your family.
- Create
an emergency evacuation plan if you must leave your home. The
plan
should include gathering the family from different locations with
or without familiar transportation systems.
- Develop
a contact list with everyone's home, work, school, or wireless
numbers. Keep it updated and available.
- Be
sure every member of the family knows who to contact out of state—their
name and phone number(s). Be sure the contact person has a copy
of the family's emergency information.
- Consider
the special needs of family members—the disabled, elderly,
or small children—when creating your plan. Don't forget
to plan for taking a pet.
- Consider
the ability of parents to be available if there is an emergency.
Police,
fire fighters, doctors, nurses, and other adults may have a job
that will not allow them to leave immediately.
- Maintain
a 72-hour emergency kit for any disaster.
A
Family Emergency Kit
The
basic emergency kit should include the minimum requirement of items
that would
be needed in an emergency if you were to leave home for three days.
The supplies should be updated regularly and clothing should be
rotated for the appropriate season. Store the following items in
a plastic container that will protect the contents and can be easily
transported in the event of an emergency.
| Water |
1
gallon per person per day |
| Food |
Non-perishable;
can opener |
| Eating
Utensils |
Disposable |
| Toilet
paper/Paper Towels |
|
| First
Aid Kit |
Soap,
bandages, antiseptic, gauze, etc. |
| Flashlights |
Keep
batteries separate |
| Battery-operated
Radio |
|
| Scissors/Knife |
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| Paper
and Pencil |
|
| Personal
Items |
Toletries... |
| Matches |
Water-proofed |
| Change
of Clothes |
Remember
the seasons and weather conditions |
| Bedding |
Sleeping
bag, blanket |
| Special
Needs |
Prescriptions,
baby items |
| Important
Papers |
Insurance
policies, birth certificates, etc. |
| Duct
tape/Plastic Sheeting |
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- Include
a copy of the family's emergency information with a picture of
the family
or family members
- Consider
children carrying their own supplies (perhaps in a backpack) that
are
appropriate to their size and ability.
- Consider
the family's personal needs and include activities for children
and adults.
- Gather
recovery tools and supplies that may be needed for recovery efforts.
For
more information, visit www.safeamerica.org
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