Natural Disaster Emergency Plan

Each of us hopes a natural disaster will never come our way, but every corner of the world faces its own gauntlet of dangers from Mother Nature, from the earthquakes of California to the tornadoes of the Midwest to the hurricanes of the Gulf of Mexico. But careful, thoughtful planning and preparation can help protect your family if the worst does happen in your hometown.

Escape to Safety

The first step in making sure your family is safe in a natural disaster is to come up with an emergency plan, according to www.fema.gov. Draw up at least two escape routes from each room in your house, and establish a meeting place in the event that there's an emergency at your house or in your city. The meeting place will be the spot where every family member knows to gather should you become separated.

Contact Information

FEMA recommends that each member of the family carry an emergency contact sheet at all times. The card would list the phone number of an emergency contact and an alternate, out-of-state emergency contact, as well as a neighborhood meeting place and phone number for that location.

Emergency Kit

In a worst-case disaster scenario, your family might have to fend for itself, and FEMA advises preparing an emergency kit for that contingency. Be prepared to leave your home for up to several days with an easy-to-carry supply of: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, bedding and sanitation supplies, tools and special items, such as extra glasses or any medications.

Discuss Emergency Plans

It's important to educate your family about the possibility of natural disasters. Be sure to review your emergency plans with your children, and discuss the different disasters that might take place where you live, whether your area is prone to flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes or blizzards. Tell your children what they should do to stay safe in any of these situations.

Protect Your Property

You should take inventory of your most valuable possessions long before a disaster strikes. Keep a log of expensive items and take photos to catalog everything, and invest in insurance so that your belongings will be replaced in the event of a disaster.

References

• Federal Emergency Management Agency