I.          Emergency Planning

[]     Meet with household members and discuss the dangers of possible emergency events, including fire, severe weather, hazardous spills and terrorism.

[]     Decide who will pick up children and other family members away from the house when an emergency evacuation is declared.

[]     Pick two family meeting places: a place near your home and a place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after an emergency.

[]     Discuss what to do in case of power outages or personal injuries.  Ensure all family members know the location of first-aid kits, flashlights and other emergency supplies.

[]     Draw a floor plan of your house.  Mark escape routes from each room.

[]     Learn how to turn off water, gas and electricity at main switches.  (Note - do not attempt to restore gas service yourself after turning off the supply.  Contact your supplier.)

[]     Post emergency contact numbers near all telephones. 

[]     Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1 and how to make long-distance telephone calls (often it is easier to make a long-distance call than a local call during an emergency).

[]     Take a basic First Aid and CPR class.

[]     Keep important family documents and records in a waterproof and fireproof safe.

[]     Prepare or purchase an emergency survival kit.

II.         Home Preparedness Supplies

[]     Take the time to check the contents of your cupboards and pantry.  All too often there is insufficient non-perishable food, stored water and essential supplies.

[]     Water.  Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.  Buy a supply of water purification tablets.

[]     Food.  Keep a supply of canned juices, meats and soup together with high-energy foods like peanut butter, breakfast bars and nuts.  Comfort foods like cookies are a great morale-booster for children and adults alike.  Avoid foods that require a great deal of water to prepare such as rice and pasta.

[]     First Aid.  Prepare a first-aid kit including bandages, gauze pads, non-prescription drugs, scissors, needle and thread and antiseptic.  Also stock toilet paper, soap, liquid detergent and any required feminine supplies.

[]     Tools.  Ensure you have a working flashlight, matches, and a supply of cash in low denomination bills and coins.  A battery-operated radio with extra batteries is also useful.

III.        Emergency Evacuation Survival Kit

[]     Assemble a light-weight, easy to carry bag of essential survival supplies and store in an convenient place.  This can be grabbed and prove essential in the event of an urgent evacuation where there is insufficient time to gather all the components.  It should include:

• High-calorie food rations.
• A supply of water (and water purification tablets).
• Emergency thermal blanket, waterproof jacket and waterproof matches.
• A 'swiss army' style utility tool and knife.
• A flashlight with spare batteries if required.  Better is to buy a 'shakeable' flashlight which requires no batteries.
• Additional light sources such as the lightsticks you 'snap' in half.
• A basic first aid kit.
• Protective mask to guard against dust and bacteria.

IV.       Evacuation Guidelines

[]     Keep a full tank of gas in your car if an evacuation seems likely.

[]     Make arrangements with friends or your local government if you do not own a car.

[]     Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.

[]     Follow local evacuation instructions and recommended evacuation routes only.  Do not take shortcuts - they may be blocked.

[]     Be alert for washed-out roads and bridges and stay away from downed power lines.