Family Disaster Planning

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.

If Disaster Strikes
Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.

Check for Injuries
Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.

Listen to Your Battery-Powered Radio for News and Instructions

Check for Damage in Your Home...

Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
Shut off any other damaged utilities. (You will need a professional to turn gas back on.)
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids immediately.

Remember to...

Confine or secure your pets.
Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
Stay away from downed power lines.

Click Here to learn the Four Steps to Safety

To get copies of American Red Cross community disaster education materials, contact the Disaster Preparedness Hotline at (314) 516.2838 or e-mail us.

The text on this page is in the public domain. We request that attribution to this information be given as follows: From "Family Disaster Plan." developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.