So, you have your 72-hour kits all ready? (Maybe) Now what?
At my house lately, my 4-year old and 6-year old keep trying to sneak into their kits to eat their food. It has made me realize that we haven't talked about a Family Emergency Plan for a while.
Here are some tips:
Decide what kind of disasters could happen in your area?
You don't have to get too creative, just think of the basics: Fire, flood, earthquake, chemical spill (if you live near a major highway or interstate), etc.
If you live somewhere that is prone to flooding, look into purchasing flood insurance. Remember, homeowners insurance does not cover flooding.
This can be an important fact, especially in determining where you would meet the rest of your family or if you would need to stay home. For example, if your house is on fire, you would want a meeting place in your neighborhood. If there is a community-wide issue where they call for evacuation, you may have a different meeting place.
Create a basic emergency plan and discuss it as a family.
You don't have to get too creative, just think of the basics: Fire, flood, earthquake, chemical spill (if you live near a major highway or interstate), etc.
If you live somewhere that is prone to flooding, look into purchasing flood insurance. Remember, homeowners insurance does not cover flooding.
This can be an important fact, especially in determining where you would meet the rest of your family or if you would need to stay home. For example, if your house is on fire, you would want a meeting place in your neighborhood. If there is a community-wide issue where they call for evacuation, you may have a different meeting place.
Create a basic emergency plan and discuss it as a family.
Click HERE for a printable PDF with a brief family plan created by FEMA as well as contact card information.
Microsoft also has a template (click HERE) you can download to fill out information on your family emergency plan.
Each of these templates ask you to record basic contact information, information on each family member, medical information. The Microsoft template also has an area to record insurance policy information and information on your family meeting places.
Where would you go if you needed to evacuate? And how would you get there is the main route was not an option?
I like to keep my gas tank at least half full all the time...partially so I don't have to fork out so much cash at one time, but MOSTLY because in case of an emergency or an evacuation, I can get somewhere without having to get gas. I am lucky enough to have parents who live about 3 hours south of me, which gives me somewhere close to travel to if my town was evacuated. I could also go 4 hours north to my brother. I have thought of this many times. What I don't know is how I would get to either place if the interstate was closed.
Check with for information on emergency procedures at places your family spends the most time, such as school, work, daycare, church, and extra-curricular activities like sports.
Get involved in your community.
Check with your community to see if there is a local emergency plan in place. For example, some communities have a Reverse 911 system where you can be contacted by text in case of an emergency. Some schools may also have a similar program in place. (After the shooting at the school in Connecticut, our kids' elementary school had those who wanted to participate to give their cell phone numbers to the principal who set it up so that he can send us a mass text in case of an emergency at the school.)
Some other things you might want to think of...
Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
Taking a CPR class or certification.
Making an Emergency Binder and copies to keep out of town.
Inventory of belongings, either video taped or written.
For more information:
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