What Families Can Do

 1. Create an emergency communication 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
     the 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 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 cannot.

2. Establish a meeting place.
    Having a predetermined meeting place away from home will save time and minimize
    confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated.  You may even want to
    make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in case of an
    emergency.  Be sure include any pets in these plans, since pets are not permitted in
    shelters and some hotels will not accept them.

3. Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
    If you need to evacuate your home or are asked "to shelter in place", having some
    essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable.  Prepare
    a Disaster Supplies Kit in an easy-to-carry container such as a duffel bag or small
    plastic trash can.  Include "special needs" items for any members of your household
    (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), First Aid supplies
    (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each household
    member, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and
    extra batteries, food, bottled water and tools.  It is also a good idea to include some
    cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and
    licenses) in your kit.

    Copies of essential documents- like powers of attorney, birth and marriage
    certificates, insurance policies, life insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary
    designations and a copy of you will-should also be kept in a safe location outside your
    home. A safe deposit box is an option.

4. Check on school emergency plans for school age children you may have.
    You need to know if they will keep children at school until a parent or designated  
    adult can pick them up or send them home on their own.  Be sure the school has
    updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to
    arrange pickup.  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. 

Call the Red Cross 704 633-3854 for more information on Disaster Preparedness at Ìhome  Ìwork  Ìschool Ìin your car, or where ever you and/or your family may be.

Together We Prepare