{"id":101,"date":"2013-04-18T22:03:05","date_gmt":"2013-04-18T22:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulfcoastreadiness.com\/?page_id=101"},"modified":"2018-07-13T13:45:16","modified_gmt":"2018-07-13T13:45:16","slug":"family-disaster-plan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gulfcoastreadiness.com\/family-disaster-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Disaster Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Disaster can strike
\nquickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood
\nor confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services\u2013water,
\ngas, electricity or telephones\u2013were cut off? Local officials and relief
\nworkers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone
\nright away.<\/p>\n

Families can\u2013and
\ndo\u2013cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as
\na team. Follow the steps listed in this brochure to create your family\u2019s
\ndisaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.<\/p>\n

4 Steps to Safety:<\/h3>\n

I. Find Out What Could Happen to You:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Contact your local
    \nRed Cross chapter or emergency management office\u2013be prepared to take
    \nnotes.<\/li>\n
  2. Ask what types
    \nof disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to
    \nprepare for each.<\/li>\n
  3. Learn about your
    \ncommunity\u2019s warning signals: what they sound like and what you should
    \ndo when you hear them.<\/li>\n
  4. Ask about animal
    \ncare after a disaster. Animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters
    \nbecause of health regulations.<\/li>\n
  5. Find out how to
    \nhelp elderly or disabled persons, if needed.<\/li>\n
  6. Find out about
    \nthe disaster plans at your workplace, your children\u2019s school or day
    \ncare center, and other places where your family spends time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    II. Create a Disaster
    \nPlan:<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Meet with your
      \nfamily and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the
      \ndangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquake preparedness<\/a> to children. Plan to
      \nshare responsibilities and work together as a team.<\/li>\n
    2. Discuss the types
      \nof disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each
      \ncase.<\/li>\n
    3. Pick two places
      \nto meet: Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like
      \na fire, and another location outside your neighborhood in case you can\u2019t
      \nreturn home. Remember, everyone must know the address and phone number.<\/li>\n
    4. Ask an out-of-state
      \nfriend to be your “family contact.” After a disaster, it\u2019s
      \noften easier to call long distance. Other family members should call
      \nthis person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact\u2019s
      \nphone number.<\/li>\n
    5. Discuss what to
      \ndo in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      III. \u00a0 Complete
      \nThis Checklist:<\/b><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Post emergency
        \ntelephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).<\/li>\n
      2. Teach children
        \nhow and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services
        \nnumber for emergency help.<\/li>\n
      3. Show each family
        \nmember how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the
        \nmain switches.<\/li>\n
      4. Check if you have
        \nadequate insurance coverage.<\/li>\n
      5. Get training from
        \nthe fire department for each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher
        \n(ABC type), and show them where it\u2019s kept.<\/li>\n
      6. Install smoke detectors
        \non each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.<\/li>\n
      7. Conduct a home
        \nhazard hunt.<\/li>\n
      8. Stock emergency
        \nsupplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.<\/li>\n
      9. Take a Red Cross
        \nfirst aid and CPR class.<\/li>\n
      10. Determine the best
        \nescape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.<\/li>\n
      11. Determine the safest
        \nplaces in your home or office for each type of disaster.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        IV. \u00a0 Practice
        \nand Maintain Your Plan:<\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Quiz your family
          \nevery six months or so.<\/li>\n
        2. Conduct fire and
          \nemergency evacuation drills.<\/li>\n
        3. Replace stored
          \nwater every six months and stored food every six months.<\/li>\n
        4. Test and recharge
          \nyour fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer\u2019s instructions.<\/li>\n
        5. Test your smoke
          \ndetectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Neighbors Helping
          \nNeighbors:<\/h3>\n

          Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors
          \nto plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until
          \nhelp arrives. If you\u2019re a member of a neighborhood organization, such
          \nas a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness
          \nas a new activity. Know your neighbors\u2019 special skills (e.g., medical,
          \ntechnical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special
          \nneeds, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care
          \nin case parents can\u2019t get home.<\/p>\n

          Home Hazard Hunt:<\/h3>\n

          During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage.
          \nAnything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard.
          \nFor example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your
          \nhome at least once a year and fix potential hazards. Also, it would be
          \na good idea to contact your local fire department to learn about home
          \nfire hazards.<\/p>\n

          Evacuation:<\/h3>\n