Being prepared starts with a plan.
Involve your family members in developing a plan, then
remember to post the plan somewhere everyone can see the
details. Here are some things to consider when
creating your plan:
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Discuss the dangers of fire, severe
weather, hazardous materials spills, floods and other
emergencies. Talk about the ways in which you will
respond to each situation.
-
Discuss power outages and medical
emergencies. Teach children how and when to call
9-1-1.
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Draw a floor plan of your home.
Mark two escape routes from each room.
-
Select two meeting places - one near
your home in case of fire, and another that is outside
your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home after
a disaster.
-
Learn how to turn off the water, gas and
electricity at main switches.
-
Post emergency numbers near each
telephone in your home.
-
Instruct family members to turn on the
radio for emergency information.
-
Take basic CPR and first aid classes.
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Keep important records in a waterproof
and fireproof container.
Other things to consider:
Create an emergency communications plan.
Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will
call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster
occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away
that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the
same event, and they should know they are the chosen
contact. Make sure every household member has that
contact's, and each other's, e-mail addresses and telephone
numbers (home, work, pager and cell). Leave these contact
numbers at your children's schools, if you have children,
and at your workplace. Your family should know that if
telephones are not working, they need to be patient and try
again later or try e-mail. Many people flood the telephone
lines when emergencies happen but e-mail can sometimes get
through when calls don't.
Check on school emergency plans at your child's
school.
You need to know if they will they keep children at school
until a parent or designated adult can pick them up or send
them home on their own. Be sure that the school has updated
information about how to reach parents and responsible
caregivers to arrange for pick up. And, ask what type of
authorization the school may require to release a child to
someone you designate, if you are not able to pick up your
child. During times of emergency the school telephones may
be overwhelmed with calls.
For more information:
Call Sedgwick County
Emergency Management, (316) 660-5959
Your
Government
