Preparing a Disaster Plan for Your FamilyWhen disaster strikes, you may be asked to leave your home or you may need to shelter at home or the workplace - lacking services such as water, gas, electricity, telephone. Thinking ahead and communicating in advance will help prepare you and others during an emergency.In discussing what your family will do in an emergency situation, you should consider:
Secure dangerous items within your home or workplace that could cause accidents, including bookshelves, water heater, pictures, heavy items which are stored high and could fall, flammables like oily rags, and keep electrical wiring and gas connections in good repair. Check these websites for plan details: National Disaster Education Coalition disaster planning guide WORKPLACE PLANNINGHaving a disaster plan in place at work is also very important. Be aware that disasters bringing power outages, brown-outs or surges, chemical spills preventing you from arriving at your business, floods affecting distribution and inventory availability, and many other disasters can affect daily business operations. The Red Cross reports that floods, windstorms, tornadoes, and other disasters can prevent as many as 40 percent of small businesses from opening and operating for hours or days. Disaster plans should include:
Planning for PetsDo not leave your pet behind if you must evacuate your home. Plan for alternatives. Determine which hotels/motels outside your immediate area accept pets and their guidelines. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places along with phone numbers. Ask if friends or others outside your immediate area would be willing to offer housing and temporary foster care. Keep a list of boarding facilities. Make a list of kennels/veterinary facilities. Put together a pet disaster kit.
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