Your Family Disaster Plan

Four Steps Talk Create A Plan Complete Emergency Checklist Practice and Maintain Plan

Talk Talk with your family about the importance of advance planning for disasters. Know what types of disasters are likely to occur in your area. -Tennessee’s natural hazards include: droughts, earthquakes, floods, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires, and occasional winter storms.

Talk Continued Talk about you community’s warning signals. Ex: Tornado sirens If you have pets, ask your local emergency management office about animal care after a disaster. Also inquire about how to handle any family members with special needs. Find out about disaster plans at school, daycare, work, etc.

Talk Cont. Children They like a routine and when this is disrupted, they become anxious They follow your lead Disasters are very traumatic for children Be mindful that after a disaster, children are afraid that: -The event will happen again -A loved one will be injured or killed -They will be separated from their family -They will be left alone

Create the Plan Work as a team. Review the types of disasters that are most likely to occur and outline a response plan for each type of disaster. Pick two places to meet with family. -One outside your home (fire) -One outside your neighborhood (in case you are unable to return home)

Create the Plan Cont. Assign an out of state “family contact”. Discuss a plan of evacuation for your home. (include two escape routes out of every room in the house) Include a plan for the care of your pets. (find out what hotels take pets) Discuss and decide on the best escape routes from your neighborhood.

Complete Emergency Checklist Responsible family members should: Know the location and procedure for turning off utilities. -Electricity -Gas -Water Know where and how to use a fire extinguisher correctly.

Complete Emergency Checklist Cont. Know how to check and replace smoke detector batteries. Post emergency telephone numbers next to telephones. Teach family members how and when to call 911. Check your insurance coverage. Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.

Complete Emergency Checklist Cont. Family members should take a first aid and CPR class. Conduct a “home hazard hunt”. Stock emergency supplies. Assemble disaster supply kit.

Home Supply Kits Home: The rule of thumb is to keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of each family member for at least three days. Home Kit should include: -Water (1 gallon per person) -Food (ready to eat) -Eating Supplies -First Aid Supplies -Change of clothing -Blankets -Emergency Tools (flashlight, batteries, etc.)

Home Supply Kits Cont. -Special items for infants or elderly -Prescription and non-prescription drugs -Toilet paper, paper towels, etc.- -Liquid soap detergent -Feminine supplies -Personal hygiene items -Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation purposes)

Home Supply Kits Cont. -Disinfectant -Plastic bucket with tight lid -Household chlorine bleach -Rain gear -Sturdy shoes or boots -Important family documents (Will, insurance policies, bank account numbers, family records and all need to be stored in a water-proof, portable container)

First Aid Kit You need one for home and one for your car. It should include: -Bandages in assorted sizes -Assorted sizes of safety pins -Cleansing agent -Latex gloves (? Latex allergy) -Sunscreen

First Aid Kit Cont. -2 inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) -4 inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) -Non prescription drugs -2 inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) -3 inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) -Scissors -Tweezers

First Aid Kit Cont. -Needle -Thermometer -Tongue blades -Tube of petroleum jelly -Scissors -Tweezers

Car Emergency Kit Supplies -Battery powered radio with batteries -First aid kit -Flashlight and batteries -Blanket -Jumper cables -Bottled water -High energy snacks

Car Emergency Kit Supplies Cont. -Maps -Shovel -Flares -Tire repair kit -Pump

Practice and Maintain Plan Quiz family members every 4-6 months so they remember what to do in a disaster situation. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills. Replace stored water every 3 months. Replace stored food every 6 months. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher according to manufacturer’s instructions. Test your smoke detectors monthly. Change smoke detector battery yearly.

Neighborhood Involvement Meet with neighbors to plan how everyone can work together after a disaster until help arrives. Introduce the topic of disaster preparedness at a neighborhood association meeting. Know the skill set of your neighbors. Know the special needs population of your neighborhood. Make childcare plans in case parents can’t get home.

If Disaster Strikes Stay calm. Activate your plan. Assess for injuries. Listen for instructions from local authorities on your battery powered radio. Assess your home for damage. Sniff for gas leaks. Call your “family contact”. Check on neighbors, especially elderly or disabled.

If Disaster Strikes Cont. Confine or secure pets. Shut off damaged utilities. Check for fire hazards using flashlights, not matches. If evacuation is necessary: -Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes. -Lock your home. -Use travel routes outlined by local authorities. -Post a note telling others when you left and where you are going.

QUESTIONS?

Additional Resources Terrorism- Preparing for the Unexpected _589_,00.html Financial Preparations 0_605_,00.html Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness Go to website and order the book for free

Additional Resources Cont. American Red Cross Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations 0.html Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Disasters and Emergencies