1 Be informed
2Think ahead
3Make a family disaster plan
PLANNING FOR DISASTER
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PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY
1 Be informed
• Contact your city / town council to find out if warning signals will be
issued and what action you should take( see box below) in a disaster.
• If you live in an area that is prone to certain disasters, you may be
given a telephone number to call for up-to-date information and warnings. You may also find advice on the Internet( see pp. 250 – 251 for recommended websites).
• Prior to a disaster, public address systems such as bulhorns may be
used to inform people quickly and provide instructions.
• If you are likely to be evacuated to an emergency shelter, find out
beforehand where the nearest shelters are and how to get to them.
2Think ahead
• Keep emergency contact numbers near the telephone and ensure that
everyone knows where they are.
• Consider how to help the elderly and physically disabled.
• Plan how you are going to look after pets. Keep pet carriers for
small family pets if necessary.
• Assemble essential items that you will need if disaster strikes( p. 225).
3Make a family disaster plan
• Discuss how to prepare for disaster.
• Make sure that any children understand the dangers of severe
weather and other disasters that threaten your area.
• Some natural disasters, including lightning strikes, earthquakes, and
volcanic eruptions, can cause house fires. Have a meeting place just outside the home where you can check that everyone is safely out of the building in the event of a fire.
• Arrange a second meeting place some distance away, such as at a
friend’ s or relative’ s home, should you have to leave the immediate area. Make sure that everyone has the address and telephone number.
• Choose at least two escape routes from your home and each room.
• Identify safe places in your home where you could take shelter if
you are advised to stay indoors or if you do not have time to leave before a disaster strikes.
• Make a family evacuation plan( p. 224).
• Discuss how to make contact and reunite family members should a
disaster occur when you are not all at home together.
UNDERSTANDING EARLY WARNINGS
• If you live in a hurricane or tornado zone, be prepared for a“ watch”( indicates possible
disaster) and then a“ warning”( indicates probable or imminent disaster) as the hurricane or tornado approaches your area.
• If you live in a tsunami area, an“ advisory” is the first alert, followed by a“ watch”( possible)
and“ warning”( imminent).
• If you live in an area prone to flooding, a“ watch”( possible) may be followed by a
“ warning”( imminent) and then a“ severe warning”( imminent and severe).
• In areas of particular risk, there may be a system for sending warning messages by
telephone, fax, or pager directly to people whose homes are threatened.