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Family Preparedness

Family Plans

Creating a Disaster Plan

• Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
• Pick two places to meet:
  1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
  2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

Items to Have on Hand

 Here are six basics you should stock in your home:

1. water,
2. food,
3. first aid supplies,
4. clothing and bedding,
5. tools,
6. and emergency supplies and special items.

Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation). Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household.

Food

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

First Aid Kit

• Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit should include: Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), Hypoallergenic adhesive tape, Triangular bandages (3), 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), Scissors, Tweezers, Needle, Moistened towelettes, Antiseptic, Thermometer, Tongue blades (2), Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant, Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water), Staples — sugar, salt, pepper, High energy foods — peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granloa bars, trail mix, Assorted sizes of safety pins, Cleansing agent/soap, Latex gloves (2 pair), Sunscreen, Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, Anti-diarrhea medication, Antacid (for stomach upset), Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center), Laxative, Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center).