The American Red Cross-Knoxville Area Chapter encourages
you and your family to make a Family Disaster Plan and
practice it on a regular basis so you are prepared if
a disaster should ever strike your home. For more information
on staying safe year-round, contact your American Red
Cross at (865) 584-2999.
Four Steps to Safety
1. Find Out What Could Happen to You
- Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency
management office before a disaster occurs--be prepared
to take notes.
- Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen.
Request information on how to prepare for each.
- Learn about your community's warning signals: what
they sound like and what you should do when you hear
them.
- Ask about animal care after a disaster
. Animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters
because of health regulations.
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons
, if needed.
- Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace,
your children's school or day care center, and other
places where your family spends time.
2. Create a 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.
- Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely
to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
- Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency,
like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return
home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact."
After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance.
Other family members should call this person and tell
them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's
phone number.
- Discuss what to do in an evacuation
. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete this checklist
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire,
police, ambulance, etc.).
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your
local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency
help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the
utilities
(water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches.
- Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Get training from the fire department for each family
member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type),
and show them where it's kept.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home,
especially near bedrooms.
- Conduct a home hazard hunt .
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies
Kit.
- Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find
two ways out of each room.
- Find the safe places in your home for each type of
disaster.
4. Practice and
Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz your kids every six months or so.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
- Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according
to manufacturer's instructions.
- Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries
at least once a year.
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.
