Disasters
Disasters are something that can hit at anytime and they can strike with our without warning. Do you know what you’d do if you’re divided from your family? Through the creation of a sound Emergency Plan you can be assured that everyone will be acquainted with what to execute should disaster strike.
Disaster Preparedness Preparation
You need to have an out- of-city contact. The reason for this is that when calamity strikes the local phone service can be disrupted. It’s likely that it’s much easier to call long distance instead of trying to calls someone in town. Out of town contact should be able to communicate for you more quickly among your family members and friends.
Ensure that all of the family members know the phone number and also have a cell phone, coins or a prepaid phone card in order to get a hold of the contact. If you have a cell phone you need to program the number into your phone as ICE. You need to ensure that everyone in your family knows how to text message. This could likely be one of the only means of communication if the lines are down.
You also need to make sure that every person in your household knows how to send a text message. When the lines are down this could be your only outlet of communication.
Making the Right Decisions
Sometimes an evacuation isn’t ordered right away or at all. For this reason it might come down to you to make the decision on whether or not you and your family are going to leave. Take a look at everything that is going on around you and use sound judgment as to whether or not staying is even a real option. When you create your emergency plan you’re going to need to take into account both staying and going. If there is any one time that you think you’re in immediate danger then the answer is to leave. You need to prepare yourself to leave not only quickly but also safely. Know not only your routes but also alternatives. Knowing your options can save you valuable time and even mean the difference between life and death. Always use the best judgment possible and do whatever it is going to take to keep both yourself and your family safe.
Be Knowledgeable
You need to know all of the different types of disasters. The types of disasters that are both man made and natural disasters you need to know. You’re going to find that your community could broadcast emergency information on either TV or on radio. Other communities will use sirens as well. You need to research and know the types of notices that are used in your area and how you plan on being notified. Regardless of the method that your community is using you need to know what and how you’re going to respond.
Planning For Emergencies
The Ready Campaign created some tools for you to use to get things rolling:
* Online Family Emergency Planning Tool Allows you to start and create a printable plan
* Quick Share your Information Form
Learn more about survival kits. Stop by William Irving’s site where you can find out all about emergency kits and what they can do for you.