Wind Storm, Flood, Fire, Hazardous Material, Winter Storm, Earthquake

     Washington State Crime Prevention Association

Family Emergency Preparedness Plan

            An emergency can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you 
to evacuateyour neighborhood or confine you to your residence. What would 
you do if basic services –water, gas, electricity, or telephones – were cut off? 
Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after an emergency, 
but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or 
it might take days. Would you and your family be prepared to cope with 
the emergency until help arrives? The best way to cope is to PREPARE 
NOW! Once an emergency hits, you won’t have time to shop for supplies. 
If you have gathered supplies in advance, you can endure and evacuation or 
home confinement.

Block Watch Participatio

            Your neighborhood Block Watch can play a vital role in any 
emergency. At your next Block Watch meeting discuss emergency preparedness
. Designate an EMERGENCY COORDINATOR to take the lead in putting 
together your plan. Assess the skills of your Block Watch neighbors. Who 
can be called upon in various emergencies? Who are most likely to need 
immediate assistance? Use your Block Map to note this information. 
Neighborhood planning and emergency response areas to consider are:

            COMMUNICATIONS                   FIRST AID

            SECURITY                                       DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

            SEARCH AND RESCUE                 ACCOUNTABILITY

            EMERGENCY SHELTER                SANITATION

The best way to cope with an emergency is to prepare before it happens.

Don’t procrastinate!

             Start working on your plan today.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

          Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at 
least three days. Assemble an emergency Supplies Kit with items you may 
need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy – to – carry 
containers such as backpacks, duffel bags or covered trash cans.

            There are several basics you should stock in your home: Water, 
Food, First Aid, Prescription Medications, Clothing and Bedding, Emergency 
Supplies and Tools and Special Items.

            WATER:

            Store at least a three – day supply of water, one gallon per person 
per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and 
sanitation). Water should be stored in plastic containers that will not 
decompose or break. Your supply should be changed every three 
months so it stays fresh. Water should not be rationed. Drink the amount 
you need each day, if you run out, look for more. Not drinking an 
adequate supply of water can result in dehydration. This is a serious 
medical condition and can be life threatening.

            FOOD:

            Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. 
Select foods that require   no refrigeration cooking or preparation. If you 
must heat food, pack a can(s) of “Sterno” solid fuel or a small camp 
stove (propane canister fuel type). Select food items that are compact 
and lightweight.

Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

            Ready –to-eat soup.

            Smoked or dried meats such as beef jerky

            Juices-canned, powder or crystallized

            Soups-bouillon cubes, canned or dried soups (heat required)

            Milk- powdered or canned

            Staples-sugar, salt, pepper

            High-energy foods-peanut butter, jelly, crackers, nuts, health food 
            bars, trail mix

            Stress foods – sugar cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals

            Vitamins

            Instant Coffee or tea bags (heat required)

Pet food (as needed)

FIRST AID KIT:

            You should have a first aid kit for your home and one for 
your car if applicable. Your kit should contain any prescription medication 
that you or your family might need. In addition your emergency first aid kit 
should include:

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes                Cleansing agent – soap

2-inch and 3-inchsterile gauze pads (8-12 of each)    Latex gloves

Hypoallergenic adhesive tape                                    Moistened towels

Tweezers                                                                  NON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Needles                                                                    Aspirin/non aspirin pain reliever

Scissors                                                                    Anti-diarrhea medication

2-inch and 3-inch roller bandages (3 rolls each)          Laxative

Tongue blades and wooden applicator sticks              Eye wash

Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant                    Rubbing alcohol

Assorted sizes of safety pins                                       Emetic (use to induce vomiting if

Safety razor blades                                                    Activated Charcoal

Antiseptic spray and hydrogen peroxide                     Thermometer                                                                

CLOTHING AND BEDDING:

Sturdy work shoes or work boots                               Hat and gloves

Rain gear                                                                    Thermal underwear

Blankets or sleeping bags                                            Sunglasses

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:

Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils        Needles and thread

Emergency preparedness manual                                  Whistle

Battery operated radio and extra batteries                    Plastic sheeting

Flash light and extra batteries                                        Paper and Pencil

Shut-off wrench for household gas and water                Gloves

Pliers                                                                           Utility knife

Tape                                                                           

  SANITATION:

Non-electric can opener                                               Toilet paper, towels

Fire extinguisher – (5lb.  ABC type)                             Soap, liquid detergent

Tent (appropriate size)                                                 Personal hygiene items (toothbrush,

Matches in waterproof container                                  Toothpaste, razor, hairbrush, etc.)

Plastic storage containers                                              Feminine Supplies

Candles                                                                       Plastic garbage bags, ties

Aluminum foil                                                               Small shovel for digging a latrine

Signal flare                                                                   Disinfectant

Small mirror                                                                 Household chlorine bleach

Rope                                                                           Paper towels

SPECIAL ITEMS:

Remember family members with special needs such as infants, elderly or disabled 
individuals.

FOR BABY:

Diapers                                                           Note: keep all records in waterproof

Bottles                                                             Portable container

Powdered milk                                                 Formula

Immunization records                                       Medications                                                                                                                           

FOR ADULTS:

Prescription drugs/medications                        Bank account numbers

Denture needs                                                Credit card account numbers

Contact lenses and supplies                            Wills, insurance policies

Extra prescription eye glasses                         Inventory of valuable household

Credit cards, cash and check book                  Important phone numbers

Passports, social security cards                        Deeds, stocks and bonds

Extra set of car keys                                       Family records (birth, marriage etc.)

List of family physicians                                     List of family members/friends to contact

ENTERTAINMENT:

Games and books (children and adults)              Drawing paper –crayon and pencils

SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS:

Store your emergency supplies kit in a convenient place known to all family members.

Keep a smaller version of your kit in the trunk of your car.

Keep items in airtight plastic bags.

Change your stored water supply every three months so it stays fresh.

Rotate your stored food every six months.

Re-evaluate your kit and family needs at least once a year.

Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.

Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

HOME HAZARDS HUNT:

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything

that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water

heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year to eliminate

potential hazards. During your hazard hunt you should do the following:                                   

Check for and repair defective wiring and leaky gas connections.

Fasten shelves securely

Place Large, heavy objects on lower shelves

Hang pictures and mirrors away from beds

Brace overhead light fixtures

Secure the water heater by strapping the op and bottom to wall studs

Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations

Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products in non-breakable containers away

from heat sources preferably in a storage area outside the home.

Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents.

EMERGENCY CHECK LIST:

 Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone (9-1-1)

Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 for emergency help.

Note: In a major emergency use 9-1-1 only for life threatening situations. Phone service,

including 9-1-1, may not be working immediately after some major emergencies.

*Teach children how to make long distance calls.

*Pick an out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if

  separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area.).

*Pay phones may be in service before residential service is restored.           

*Show each family member how to turn off water, gas and electricity at the mains.

*Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type). 

*Draw a floor plan for your home. Mark at least two escape routes from each room.

*Instruct family members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

*Pick two meeting places. 1) A place near your home in case of fire

       2) A place outside your neighborhood.

FIRE SAFETY:

*Eliminate fire hazards in your home.

*Install smoke detectors on each level of your home. Clean and test smoke detectors at            least once a month and change the batteries as needed or at least once a year.

*Purchase a fire extinguisher ( 5lb. ABC type)

*Teach family members how to use the fire extinguisher.

*Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom 
of the door with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find 
another way out.

*Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black 
or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways and large furniture. 
Indicate the location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, 
smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kiss and utility shut-off points. Next 
use a colored pen to draw where household members should meet in case of fire.

*Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire.

*Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire.

*Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.

*Consider installing home sprinklers.

*Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets
            
                       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.

*Evacuate if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

*If conditions warrant, check for damage in your home.

-Use flashlights do not light matches or turn on electrical switches if you suspect      damage.

-Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.

-Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect 
  a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open the windows and get everyone out 
  of the house quickly.

-Shut off any damaged utilities.

-Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids.

*Confine or secure your pets.

*Call your family contact. Don’t use the phone again or call 9-1-1 unless it’s a life-
   threatening emergency.

*Check on your neighbors, especially children, elderly or disabled.

*Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is shut off.

*Stay away from downed power lines.

1. REUNION LOCATIONS:

RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

2. AWAY FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IN CASE YOU CAN NOT 
RETURN HOME.

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________

ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE____________________________________________________

ROUTE TO TRY FIRST ________________________________________________________________

EVACUATION:

• Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Listen to your battery-powered radio and follow emergency instructions.
• Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Take your emergency supply kit.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don’t use shortcuts because '
  certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
• If you are sure you have time:
• Shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.
• Post a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
• Make arrangements for your pets.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS AND PHONE NUMBERS:

OUT OF STATE CONTACT:

NAME:___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS/CITY____________________________________________________

TELEPHONE ___________________________ EVENING______________________________

LOCAL CONTACT:

NAME ___________________________________________________________

ADDRESS/CITY ____________________________________________________

TELEPHONE _________________________ EVENING ____________________

NEAREST RELATIVE:

NAME ____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS/CITY ____________________________________________________

TELEPHONE ___________________________EVENING _______________________

FAMILY WORK NUMBERS:

Father ____________________________Mother ___________________________

Other _____________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Police Department Dial 9-1-1                    Fire Department Dial 9-1-1

NOTE: In a major emergency, use 9-1-1 only for life threatening situations.

Hospital ___________________________________________________________

FAMILY PHYSICIANS:

NAME_______________________________________

TELEPHONE ______________

NAME__________________________________TELEPHONE______________

NAME __________________________________ TELEPHONE ______________

OTHER EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

• ________________________________ * ________________________________
• _________________________________ * _______________________________

* __________________________________ * _______________________________

Note: Tune in to local radio stains for special phone numbers and emergency information.

FILL OUT, COPY AND DISTRIBUTE TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS:

Family Disaster Plan                          

Emergency meeting place ________________________________________

Meeting place ________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

Local Family Center ___________________________________________

Phone ___________________________  Phone______________________

Out of state family contact _______________________________________

Phone (    ) __________________________________________________