Emergency Guidelines for Home
Disasters can strike quickly and without warning. A disaster can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.
Creating a Disaster Plan:
1. Discuss the hazards (e.g, winter storms, flash floods, fires, etc.) that are most likely to occur in your area, and review what your family should do in each situation.
2. Pick two places for family members to meet: Either near your residence in case of a sudden emergency such as a house or apartment fire, or outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Everyone in your home must know the address and phone number of this location.
3. Ask a friend or relative to be an Outside Emergency Contact in case a major disaster occurs at your location, because it is often easier to make phone contact outside the affected area. Other members of your family impacted by the disaster can call this contact person to let them know your emergency location.
4. Discuss what to do in an evacuation.
5. Plan how to take care of your pets.
Complete this Checklist:
1. Post emergency telephone numbers next to your telephone.
2. Teach children how and when to call 911.
3. Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
4. Get adequate homeowners or apartment insurance coverage.
5. Teach each family member how to use your fire extinguisher (ABC Type).
6. Install working smoke detectors on each level of your home and replace the batteries every year.
7. Conduct a home hazard search.
8. Stock emergency supplies for 72 hours and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
9. Take a CPR class.
10. Determine the best escape routes from your home and find two ways outside of each room.
11. Find safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
Practice and Maintain Your Plan:
1. Quiz children in your family so they remember what to do.
2. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
3. Test and recharge (or replace) your home fire extinguisher according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What's A Home Hazard Search?
During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards.
Evacuation Procedures:
1. Evacuate immediately if told to do so by emergency officials.
2. Take your disaster supplies kit.
3. Lock your home.
4. Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
5. Take a battery-powered radio with you.