Health Background

Violence and Injury Prevention: Preparing for Disasters

Disaster can strike without warning at any time and can take many forms — earthquakes, floods, fire, or tornados. September 11, 2001 made Americans aware that they also need to be prepared to deal with potential terrorist acts.

Basic services, such as water, gas, electricity, and telephones, may be cut off during many disaster situations. People need to know how to cope until the danger has passed or relief workers arrive. The best thing a family can do is work together to develop a disaster plan. Here are steps to take if disaster strikes.

Be Informed

Learn about potential disasters so you can prepare to respond if one should occur. Contact your local emergency management office or the American Red Cross.They can tell you what kinds of disasters are most likely to occur in your area and how to prepare for them.

Learn about your community's warning signs: what they sound like and what you should do if you hear them.

Find out about disaster plans at your workplace, school, daycare center, or wherever your family spends time.

Create a Disaster Plan

Meet together as a family and discuss what's likely to happen in different kinds of disasters. Pick two places to meet. One should be a location outside your home where you can gather in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire. The other should be outside your neighborhood, in case you can't return home. Make sure each family member knows the addresses and phone numbers of where you'll be and the places you'll meet.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your family contact, since long distance services are often more available than local service during an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the family contact's telephone number.

Take Precautionary Measures

Post emergency telephone numbers, such as for police, fire, and ambulance, by telephones. Make sure everyone in your family knows how and when to dial 911. Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and teach each family member how to use it.

Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.

Determine the best escape routes from your home. Try to find two ways out of each room.

Put Together an Emergency Kit

Put together a kit of emergency supplies that will allow you to make it on your own for at least three days. Fresh water, food, and clean air are the top priorities.

Estimate that you'll need a gallon of water per person per day. Collect canned and dried foods that are easy to store and prepare. Make sure to have warm clothes and a sleeping bag for each family member. And don't forget basic emergency supplies, such as a flashlight, battery-powered radio and batteries, first aid kit, prescription medications, etc.

In the event of a terrorist attack, you'll also need something for each family member to cover his or her mouth and nose with, because there may be harmful microscopic particles in the air. You might wish to purchase filter masks that fit the face snugly so only filtered air is breathed in. Such masks are available at most hardware stores.

You may wish to have two survival kits, one for home and one that can easily be carried with you if you need to leave in an emergency.

Practice Your Plan

Conduct fire and emergency drills in your home on a regular basis so everyone knows what to do.

Replace stored water every three months and food every six months.

Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries annually.

Test and recharge the fire extinguisher according to manufacturer's directions.