FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

Discuss the types of emergencies that might arise � natural or man-made.� Include children where appropriate.

Discuss what you might have to do in case an emergency occurs while you�re at home.� Where and how would you take shelter inside your home?� Do you know which parts of your home are safest under various circumstances (tornado, power outage, chemical spill)?

Discuss plans if you are separated from one another.

Communications � select an out-of-town contact (or out of state) who you would call to report in; make cards with all important phone numbers, e-mail addresses, pager numbers.� Give them to each family member to keep with them.� Give them to school, to work, and to your contact.� Know your area�s EAS (Emergency Alert stations � WTOP, Channel 31) and listen to them for instructions.

Establish a meeting place.�� If you must evacuate your home, where would you meet?� If you are separated from one another and cannot return home, where would you meet?� Do you have alternate shelter arrangements that would also include your pets?�

Know your utility systems.� Do you know how to turn off the electricity at the main power box?� Do you know where the main water cut-off is and how to do it?� Do you know where and how to turn off natural gas?� (Caution:� Natural gas should never be turned off unless specifically directed to do so by the power company.� It takes a professional to turn it back on.)� Do you have the necessary turn-off tools?�

Practice and Review � evacuation; shelter in place; separation

Know the plans for your school, your work, your neighborhood.� Know who might need help in an emergency (the elderly, the mobility-impaired, the ill). Consider how you might help others.� Consider taking CPR or First Aid courses.