Create a family disaster plan

Meet with your family.

• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
• Explain how to prepare and respond.
• Discuss what to do if advised to evacuate.
• Discuss what to do with pets.
• Practice what you have discussed.

Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by a disaster.

• Pick two meeting places:

• A location a safe distance from your home in case of fire.
• A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.

• Choose an out of state friend or relative as a "check in contact" for everyone to call.

 
Complete these steps.

• Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
• Show responsible family members how and when to shut off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.
• Install a smoke detector on every level of your home. Test monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year.
• Learn first aid and CPR.
• Meet with your neighbors and plan how you could work together after a disaster.
• Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home.
• Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons.

Individual/Family disaster supplies kit

WATER
 
A normally active person requires a minimum of 2 quarts of water per day. Hot environments or intensely stressful activities can double that amount. Nursing mothers, children and ill people will need more.

• Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day.
• Store in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
  DO NOT use plastic milk cartons or glass containers that will break.

 
FOOD
 
Store at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food per person. Foods should require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you need to heat food, pack a can of sterno. Food items should be compact and lightweight. Suggestions include:

• Ready to eat canned meat, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices, milk, soup
• Staples: sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly persons, or those on special diets, if appropriate
• Comfort/stress food: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
• Prepackaged foods such as MREs
• Non-electric can opener
• Keep a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit in your car
• Keep a 72 hour emergency preparedness kit in your home
• Consider keeping a kit near your desk at work

FIRST AID KIT
 
You should assemble a standard first aid kit for your home, for each individual 72 hour disaster preparedness kit, and for each vehicle.
These can be put together at home, or purchased.
 
TOOLS and SUPPLIES

• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery operated radio and batteries
• Shut off wrench for household gas and water
• Pliers
• Sanitation and personal hygiene supplies
• Small sewing kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Whistle
• Paper, pencil

 
CLOTHING and BEDDING
 
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Rain gear/thermal underwear
• Blankets or sleeping bag
• Hat and gloves
• Sunglasses

 
PERSONAL VEHICLE

• Gas tank full
• Tool box (tow cable, jumper cables)
• Extra oil, anti-freeze
• Emergency flares and distress flag/signal
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable radio and extra batteries
• Tow chain or rope
• Traction devices, bag of sand and shovel
• Windshield scraper and brush
• First aid kit
• Necessary prescriptions
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Bottled water
• Canned fruit/nuts and non-electric can opener

 
Note: American Red Cross shelters do NOT take pets. You will need to make arrangements for the care of your animals.
 
SPECIAL ITEMS
 
Remember family members with special needs such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Pack their kits accordingly. Include diapers and formula, or prescription medications. Keep important documents in a waterproof container.

• Insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, wills.
• Passport, social security cards, immunization records.
• Bank account and credit card numbers, company contacts.
• Inventory of household goods.
• Family records (birth, marriage and death certificates).
• Important telephone numbers.
• Have travelers checks, cash and change on hand for when. ATM machines are down.
• Copies of prescriptions and extra medication.
• Spare pair of eyeglasses.
• Anything else you think you might need.

 
This is your personal preparedness kit. Customize it to meet your individual needs. Don't forget to plan for pets, too!
 
Review kit contents every three to six months and update as needed. Rotate water, food and medical supplies. Update important papers and emergency contact numbers.

UTILITIES

Teach all responsible family members how to shut off natural gas, water and electricity in case the lines are damaged. Refer to your local telephone book for utility numbers.

NATURAL GAS:

• IF YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS turn off your gas at the meter as soon as possible.
• Open windows and doors to increase ventilation.
• Stay out of the house until fumes are gone.
• When fumes are present, avoid using devices that produce flames (camp stoves, candles, lighters, matches) or sparks (light switches, phones).
• To turn off your gas, use a crescent wrench and turn the rectangular knob one quarter turn clockwise to the horizontal position (see diagram). Store a wrench near your gas main.
• ALWAYS call your gas company to relight the pilot.

ELECTRICITY:

• Electricity should be shut off if wires are broken or sparking.
• To shut off your electricity, turn all circuit breaker switches to the "off" position. For a fuse box, pull out the two cartridges (see diagram).

 
WATER:

• Locate the main water valve for your home (it will probably look like the diagram).
• Earthquakes and freezing weather can rupture water pipes causing flooding if not turned off quickly.
• To turn off the water, turn the valve handle clockwise until it stops.