FAMILY PREPAREDNESS

The key to surviving disasters is good planning. Knowing what to do will reduce stress and eliminate confusion:

Create a family communications plan. Keep important phone numbers by the phone. Create a list of important numbers and make copies for you and your family to keep in their wallets.

Designate Emergency Contacts for your children. Designate people who are usually within 10 minutes of your children's schools to be responsible for picking up your children in case of an emergency. Create a communications plan within them so they know if you are unable to pick up your child in an emergency they are responsible.

Have escape routes planned. Everyone should know of two ways to get out of a room in case of a fire.

Keep a flashlight and a pair of shoes under everyone's bed. Place a pair of sturdy, close-toed shoes and a flashlight (batteries separate) in a plastic bag. Then tie the bag to the leg of the bed so the bag will stay with the bed and glass will not fall into the shoes during an earthquake.

Know where the utility shutoffs are. Locate your gas, electrical, and water shutoffs and learn how to operate them. Paint them white or a reflective color so they are highly visible.

Make your house easy to find. Make your house number large and well lit so that emergency personnel can find your home quickly.

Plan how to take care of pets. With the exception of guide dogs, shelters usually don't allow pets so compile a list of kennels and friends or relatives who can care for them if you must evacuate. If you do not, keep your dogs on leashes and your cats or other animals in carriers. Make sure your pets are wearing up-to-date ID.