Have a Family Plan

1. Meet with your family members and discuss how you will respond in an emergency and practice, practice, practice!

Evacuees New Home Picture provided by the Associated Press

Things to discuss include: 

· Fire evacuation

· Choose a meeting place near your home that all family members can go to

· Choose a backup meeting place outside of your neighborhood if you can’t reach the first location

 

Post emergency numbers where everyone can see

2. Teach your children how to dial 911

3. Teach your children what their last name, address , and phone number is

4. Choose a responsible friend or relative as the person your children call when they cannot get a hold of you

5. Register your minor children with a national children’s database

6. If you have special needs family members register them with the appropriate agencies including your local utility company if your family member is on a ventilator

7. Know your cities emergency radio station.  In the District of Columbia it is WTOP 1500 AM

Emergency Go Kit

· At least a 5-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day) and purchase water purification tablets

· A 5-day supply of canned and non perishable packaged goods (don’t forget the manual can opener

· Keep a 10 day supply of medications in ziploc bags one for each medication and leave a copy of instructions in each medication bag

· Keep candles and batteries available and  store in the freezer for longer life

· Have waterproof matches and keep them in the ziploc bag

· Have a plan for your pet including a 5 day supply of water.

· Have blankets, bedding or sleeping bags for each member of your family

· Keep an extra set of glasses or contact lenses in a ziploc bag

· Have a first aid kit and keep all emergency preparedness Items in one place

· Keep a manual crank radio or battery operated radio and battery operated flashlight for emergencies

· List all emergency numbers such as physicians, medical information and the make and serial numbers of things like pacemakers

· Keep passports and social security cards in one location, make copies of important family documents such as mortgage, home and, medical insurance, credit cards and emergency cash.  All of these items should be in waterproof bags.

· Put your emergency kit in your attic in a safe place

· Don’t forget an axe

· ALWAYS HEED GOVERNMENT EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS!

 

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A prepared family is a safe family!