Preparing Your Family for the Next Disaster
An extremely large and violent tornado outbreak - nicknamed the "2011 Super Outbreak" -occurred earlier this year from April 25 to 28. During this period, a total of 332 tornadoes were confirmed in 21 states, making it the largest such outbreak in US history. On May 22, a monster EF-5 tornado, with wind speeds in excess of 200 MPH, devastated Joplin, MO cutting a 6-mile swath of near total destruction through the town. And then a powerful EF-3 twister (the strongest of three, packing top winds between 136 and 165 MPH) touched down improbably in western Massachusetts on the 1st of June leveling dozens of structures and felling hundreds of trees that paralyzed ground transportation and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents.
Together these tornadoes made 2011 the deadliest year for tornadoes since the beginning of modern record-taking in 1950 and they provide undeniable evidence that devastating disasters can strike with very little warning. Until recently, tornado warnings often were not issued until a twister was sighted on the ground, providing almost no warning to hapless victims. But even now, when we have benefit of the network of improved weather radars that were installed across the country during the 1990s, no one should expect a tornado warning of more than twenty minutes.
Not only can disaster strike unexpectedly, it can hit when family members are together, as well as when children are away at school and parents are at work, all separated by what could be a short drive or walk, or many miles. This makes it very important to remain vigilant and prepared for any type of disaster that could occur. A major component of disaster preparation is to develop, and practice, a disaster plan for your family, which not only will reduce exposure to harm, but also will serve to keep vital lines of communication open between family members, when a coordinated response to disaster and its aftermath is most critical. For these reasons, I've provided here, for your consideration, planning guidelines from: "Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages" produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, which includes the American Red Cross, FEMA, the National Fire Protection Association, the International Association of Emergency Managers, and the US Geological Survey:
There are four basic steps to developing a family disaster plan:
1. Find out what could happen to you.
· What type of disasters are most likely to happen in your community? Identify which human-caused or technological disasters can affect your region, too. Remember to consider major chemical emergencies that can occur anywhere chemical substances are stored, manufactured, or transported.
· How should you prepare for each?
· Does your community have a public warning system? What do your community's warning signals sound like and what should you do when you hear them?
· What about pet care after disaster? Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted in places where food is served, according to many local health department regulations.
· If you care for elderly or disabled persons, how can you help them? What might be some special needs to consider?
· What are the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or day care center, and other places where members of your family spend time? You should be prepared wherever you may be when disaster strikes and learn steps you can take to prevent or avoid disasters.
2. Create a Family Disaster Plan.
Once you know what disasters are possible in your area, talk about how to prepare and how to respond if one occurs. Make checklists of steps you can take as you discuss this information with your family.
Here is how to create your Family Disaster Plan:
· Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Keep it simple enough so people can remember the important details. A disaster is an extremely stressful situation that can create confusion. The best emergency plans are those with very few details.
· Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disasters ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone know how to respond.
· Pick two places to meet:
Ø Right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
Ø Outside of your neighborhood in case you can't return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. Everyone must know the address and phone number of the meeting locations.
· Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, have a plan for getting back together. Separation is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school.
· Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your "family contact." Your contact should live outside of your area. Family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are. Everyone must know the contact's name, address, and phone number.
· Discuss what to do if authorities ask you to evacuate. Make arrangements for a place to stay with a friend or relative who lives out of town and/or learn about shelter locations.
· Be familiar with escape routes. Depending on the type of disaster, it may be necessary to evacuate your home. Plan several escape routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed. Remember to follow the advice of local officials during evacuation situations.
· Plan how to take care of your pets. Plan where you would take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter where they are not permitted.
3. Complete your checklists.
Take the steps outlined in the checklists you made when you created your Family Disaster Plan. Remember to include the following items on your checklists.
Post emergency telephone numbers (fire, police, ambulance, etc.) next to telephones. You may not have time in an emergency to look up critical numbers.
· Teach all responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches or valves. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Turn off utilities only if you suspect a leak or damaged lines, or if you are instructed to do so by authorities. Paint shut-off valves with white or fluorescent paint to increase visibility. Attach a shut-off valve wrench or other special tool in a conspicuous place close to the gas and water shut-off valves.
· Check if you have adequate insurance coverage. Ask your insurance agent to review your current policies to ensure that they will cover your home and belongings adequately. Homeowner's insurance does not cover flood losses. If you are a renter, your landlord's insurance does not protect your personal property; it only protects the building.
· Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Smoke alarms cut nearly in half your chances of dying in a home fire. Smoke alarms sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and flaming fires.
· Get training from the fire department on how to use your fire extinguisher (A-B-C type), and show family members where extinguishers are kept. Different extinguishers operate in different ways. Unless responsible family members know how to use your particular model, they may not be able to use it effectively. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers.
· Conduct a home hazard hunt. During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a home hazard. Look for electrical, chemical, and fire hazards. Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards.
· Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, clearly labeled, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffel bags.
· Keep a smaller Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car. If you become stranded or are not able to return home, having these items will help you to be more comfortable.
· Keep a portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries. Maintaining a communications link with the outside is a step that can mean the difference between life and death. Make sure that all family members know where the portable, battery-operated radio or television is located, and always keep a supply of extra batteries.
· Consider using a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone-alert feature. NOAA Weather Radio is the best means to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. Your National Weather Service recommends purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio that has both a battery backup and a Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) feature, which automatically alerts you when a watch or warning is issued for your county, giving you immediate information about a life-threatening situation.
· Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class. Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid. These are critical skills, and learning can be a fun activity for older children.
· Plan home escape routes. Determine the best escape routes from your home in preparation for a fire or other emergency that would require you to leave the house quickly. Find two ways out of each room.
· Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster. Different disasters often require different types of safe places. While basements are appropriate for tornadoes, they could be deadly in a major chemical emergency.
· Make two photocopies of vital documents and keep the originals in a safe deposit box. Keep one copy in a safe place in the house, and give the second copy to an out-of-town friend or relative. Vital documents such as birth and marriage certificates, tax records, credit card numbers, financial records, and wills and trusts can be lost during disasters.
· Make a complete inventory of your home, garage, and surrounding property. The inventory can be either written or videotaped. Include information such as serial numbers, make and model numbers, physical descriptions, and price of purchases (receipts, if possible). Then store a copy of the record somewhere away from home, such as in a safe deposit box.
4. Practice and maintain your plan.
Practicing your plan will help you instinctively make the appropriate response during an actual emergency. You will need to review your plan periodically and you may need to change some parts.
· Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do, meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules.
· Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills at least twice a year. Actually drive evacuation routes so each driver will know the way. Select alternate routes in case the main evacuation route is blocked during an actual disaster. Mark your evacuation routes on a map; keep the map in your Disaster Supplies Kit.
· Replace stored food and water every six months. Replacing your food and water supplies will help ensure freshness.
· Use the test button to test your smoke alarms once a month. The test feature tests all electronic functions and is safer than testing with a controlled fire (matches, lighters, or cigarettes). If necessary, replace batteries immediately. Make sure children know what your smoke alarm sounds like.
· If you have battery-powered smoke alarms, replace batteries at least once a year. Some agencies recommend you replace batteries when the time changes from standard daylight savings each spring and again in the fall. "Change your clock, change your batteries," is a positive theme and has become a common phrase.
· Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time.
· Look at your fire extinguisher to ensure it is properly charged. Fire extinguishers will not work properly if they are not properly charged. Use the gauge or test button to check proper pressure. Follow manufacturer's instructions for replacement or recharging fire extinguishers. If the unit is low on pressure, damaged, or corroded, replace it or have it professionally serviced."