Learn what disasters and emergencies that have the possibility to occur in your area. 

Know what to prepare for by calling your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter.  Learn what disasters can happen rather it’s man made or natural and found out what are the best ways to prepare for each one. Found out what public warning systems your community has and what they sound like. Learn the disaster plans at your workplace, school, daycare, or other places where your family may spend a lot of time.

Create and Implement a Family Disaster Plan.

Set up a family meeting to discuss what plan needs to be in place and the importance of the plan.  Keep the plan simple enough for everybody to understand and follow.  This is a team effort and everybody must know what part they play.  Explain the dangers of the type of disasters that may occur in your area.  Everybody should know what to do in each instance.  By discussing everything before disaster strikes, it will allow everyone to be calm and execute the plan.

You then need to make sure you have two meeting places for your family in case everyone is not together.  They should be familiar with the locations and know the address. Right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency or outside of your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. Separation will play a big factor if the disaster occurs during the times parents are at work and the children are at school.  You need to have a plan of getting everybody together. 

You should set a primary person outside of the disaster area as your family’s primary contact.   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. Found out about shelters in the contact’s area or arrange to stay with that contact if possible.  Plan your escape routes and get familiar with them.  You should always have alternate escape routes in place. 

If you have pets plan on how you will care for them during a disaster. Unless your pet(s) are service animals they are not permitted to be in places where food is served, according to many local health department regulations. Plan where you would take your pets if you had to go to a public shelter where they are not permitted.  Make sure you post all important phone numbers and emergency numbers next to all phones in your home. 

Fire Or Water Disaster in Your Home? Call SERVPRO of Oldham Shelby/Trimble/Spencer/Carroll to speak to a Mitigation Specialist today. 502.241.6861