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 Home Safety Tips
As disaster can strike quickly and without warning, the Red Cross reminds you that it is extremely important to develop a communication plan so that your family, household and friends know you are safe in times of disaster. When you make a phone call or send an e-mail message, you bring peace of mind to those who care about your well-being and safety.
Contacting family and friends:
- Plan ahead for the possibility of becoming separated from your family and friends.
- Because local phone lines may be out of service or overloaded after a disaster, it’s often easier to call out of the area.
- Choose an out-of-town contact that each family member will call or email to check in with should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact.
- All of your family and friends should have the phone number for the contact as well as each other’s phone numbers and email addresses. You should all agree to call the out-of-town contact to report your whereabouts and welfare. Consider having a laminated wallet-sized card made to carry with you at all times.
- Many people overwhelm telephone lines when emergencies happen. Your family and friends should know that if telephone lines are not working, they need to be patient and try again later or try email. Sometimes emails go through when calls don’t.
- As calls or emails are placed to the out-of-town contact from family members and friends affected by the disaster, there will be peace of mind that comes from knowing that everyone is safe.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit:
Gather enough emergency supplies to meet your needs for at least three days. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant containers. It’s also a good idea to keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. Your disaster supplies kit should include:
A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and ready-to-eat canned goods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, juice boxes, etc. Please remember that you want to replace stored water and food every six months.
A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries
A manual can opener
Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards. Your original documents should be secured in a locked box or safety deposit box.
Comfortable clothing and footwear
One blanket or sleeping bag per person
A first aid kit, including prescription medicines
Tools, including wrenches to turn off utilities
An extra set of car keys
Cash/Credit cards
Special items for infant, elderly or disables family members
An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
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