How to Plan for a Terrorist Attack

Sound extreme? Consider the full range of possible terrorist activities
from both foreign and domestic sources, and it's reasonable to conclude
that no location or person is completely safe in this post-9/11
era. The question, then, is what actions are effective and reasonable
given your lifestyle and preferences.

Instructions

1. Understand that terrorism is about creating terror. Fear is the real enemy. Do whatever it takes to make your family comfortable, but reinforce the point that the risk to any individual is very low. In statistical terms, traffic accidents are far more common than acts of terror, and few of us are scared about the prospect of being hit on the road.

2. Discuss terrorist activity with your family. If they have any fears, such as fear of flying outside the country, it's best to discuss them in the open and understand how they might play out.

3. Review possible action plans with your family, including where everyone may be at any given time and how to get all family members together again. Focus on actions each family member can take to reduce feelings of helplessness and fear. Review 464 Formulate a Family Emergency Plan.

4. Don't underestimate the benefit of activities that might seem ineffective to you but provide peace of mind to your family. For example, someone in your family may derive strength through church functions, discussion groups or even researching the root causes of terrorism. Encourage them to pursue such activities.

5. Review biohazard equipment and decide if buying it makes sense for you. While many experts feel there is little that any one person can do to ensure protection from a chemical or biological attack, it might be illuminating to inspect the gear. Just be sure you're not scaring your family; there's a fine line between being reassuringly prepared and creating panic and drama.

6. Research gas masks and protective suits. There are several online suppliers, including CivilianGasMasks.com and ApprovedGasMasks.com. These items may cost several hundred dollars each. Be sure the masks have proper filters and spares. An obvious problem to resolve is how to make this equipment available at all times. Unless you plan to carry it everywhere, there will be times when it's out of reach.

7. Stock up on emergency food, equipment and supplies (see 466 Assemble Emergency Kits).

Tips & Warnings

• Don't frighten children by including them in intense conversations; stick to describing "what to do" scenarios. Grown-ups can barely process this information, so limit what your kids hear to age-appropriate information and make them feel as safe as you can.

• Stash an extra wired phone in your home and office. If the power goes out and your cordless unit dies, or cellular reception is impossible to get, an old-fashioned phone may save the day.

• Consider moving to an area with a lower risk of a terrorist attack. Cities with international stature have the highest risk of attack. Sharon Springs, Kansas, for example, has almost zero risk.

• A gas mask won't protect you from all dangerous chemicals. Be sure you know which chemicals your filter is designed to protect against. Know the expiration date on its storage and how long it will last during use. View old army-surplus gas masks with extreme skepticism since many are outdated and useless.