-Emergency Preparedness Checklist

TORNADO*FLASHFLOODS*WINTERSTORM* HURRICANE*FIRE*HAZARDOUS*
MATERIALS SPILL


The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time
to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency.

Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by
planning ahead. This checklist will help you get started.
Discuss these ideas with your family, then prepare an emergency
plan. Post the plan where everyone will see it--on the
refrigerator or bulletin board.

For additional information about how to prepare for
hazards in your community, contact your local emergency
management or civil defense office and American Red Cross
chapter.


Emergency Checklist


Call Your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross
Chapter


* Find out which disasters could occur in your area.

* Ask how to prepare for each disaster.

* Ask how you would be warned of an emergency.

* Learn your community's evacuation routes.

* Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled
persons.


Also...


* Ask your workplace about emergency plans.

* Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or
day care center.


Create an Emergency Plan


* Meet with household members. Discuss with children the
dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other
emergencies.

* Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.

* Discuss what to do about power outages and personal
injuries.

* Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes
from each room.

* Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at
main switches.

* Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.

* Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire.

* Instruct household members to mm on the radio for
emergency information.

* Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for
family members to call if separated by disaster (it is
often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected
area).

* Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.

* Pick two meeting places.

1) A place near your home in case of a fire.
2) A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot
return home after a disaster.

* Take a basic first aid and CPR class.

* Keep family records in a water and fire-proof container.


Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit


Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store
them in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffle
bag.


Include:


* A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store
water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the
storage date and replace every six months.

* A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a
non-electric can opener.

* A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.

* Blankets or sleeping bags.

* A first aid kit and prescription medications.

* An extra pair of glasses.

* A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra
batteries.

* Credit cards and cash.

* An extra set of car keys.

* A list of family physicians.

* A list of important family information; the style and
serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.

* Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family
members.


Emergency Plan


Out-of-State Contact


Name__________________________________________________

City__________________________________________________

Telephone (Day)________________(Evening)______________


Local Contact


Name__________________________________________________

Telephone (Day)________________(Evening)______________


Nearest Relative


Name__________________________________________________

City__________________________________________________

Telephone (Day)________________(Evening)______________


Family Work Numbers


Father_________________________Mother_________________

Other_________________________________________________


Emergency Telephone Numbers


In a life threatening emergency, dial 911 or the local
emergency medical services system number.


Police Department_____________________________________

Fire Department_______________________________________

Hospital______________________________________________


Family Physicians


Name___________________________Telephone_______________

Name___________________________Telephone_______________

Name___________________________Telephone_______________


Reunion Locations


1. Right outside your home____________________________

______________________________________________________


2. Away from the neighborhood, in case you cannot

return home___________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________

Telephone_____________________________________________

Route to try first____________________________________

______________________________________________________


Escape Plan


In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate
your house, apartment or mobile home on a moment's notice. You
should be ready to get out fast.

Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your
residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of
doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the
location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire
extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid
kits and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to
draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from
each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where
household members should meet in case of fire.

Be sure to include important points outside such as
garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways and porches.
If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet
of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all
household members at least two times each year.

Example:

Home Hazard Hunt


In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury
and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire
is a potential hazard.

* Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas
connections.

* Fasten shelves securely.

* Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.

* Hang pictures and minors away from beds.

* Brace overhead light fixtures.

* Secure water heater. Snap to wall studs.

* Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.

* Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away
from heat sources.

* Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.

* Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and
gas vents.


If You Need to Evacuate


* Listen to a battery powered radio for the location of
emergency shelters. Follow instructions of local
officials.

* Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

* Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

* Lock your house.

* Use travel routes specified by local officials.


If you are sure you have time ...


* Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do
so.

* Let others know when you left and where you are going.

* Make arrangements for pets. Animals may not be allowed in
public shelters.


Prepare an Emergency Car Kit


Include:


* Battery powered radio and extra batteries

* Flashlight and extra batteries

* Blanket

* Booster cables

* Fire extinguisher (5 lb, A-B-C type)

* First aid kit and manual

* Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as
granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.

* Maps

* Shovel

* Tire repair kit and pump

* Flares


Fire Safety


* Plan two escape routes out of each room.

* Teach family members to stay low to the ground when
escaping from a fire.

* Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In
a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your
hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way
out.

* Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors
once a month. Change batteries at least once a year.

* Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members
in case of fire.

* Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.

* Purchase a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).

* Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your
house.

* Consider installing home sprinklers.