Creating a Family Response Plan

1. Contact your local American Red Cross or Office of Emergency Management
   • Find out which disasters are most likely to affect your community
   • Find out how to prepare your home and yourself for each type of disaster
   • Find out how you will be warned or advised of emergency information.
   • Learn CPR and First Aid
2. If you have children contact their school or day care and find out what their plans are in the event of a disaster and how to reunite with your children.
3. Meet with your family
   • Discuss the types of disasters that could occur
   • Discuss how to prepare and respond to each disaster
   • Discuss how to evacuate every room in your home
   • Decide where to meet if you cannot get home
   • Decide on who to use as an out-of-area contact
   • Discuss emergency supplies
   • Practice what you have discussed
4. Survey your house with your family
   • Post emergency contact numbers by each phone
   • Learn and practice how to shut off water, gas, and electricity at the mains
   • Install smoke detectors on each floor of your house, especially in bedrooms. Check them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
   • Move heavy objects to lower shelves
   • Secure tall furniture and pictures to wall studs
   • Strap water heater to wall studs
5. Buy and store emergency supplies
6. Meet with your neighbors
   • Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster.
   • Consider how you could help your neighbors who have special needs.
   • Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home.