Are you prepared?

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning!   4 Steps to Safety

1. Find Out What Could Happen to You

• Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office--be prepared to take notes.

• Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.

• Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals are not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations.

• Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.

• Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or day care center, and other places where your family spends time.

2. Create a Disaster Plan

• Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster.

• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.

• Pick two places to meet:
  –Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
  –Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.

• Ask an out-of-Province friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.

• Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

3. Complete This Checklist

• Post emergency telephone numbers by phones.

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

• Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.

• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.

• Get training for each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher, and show them where it's kept.

• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.

• Conduct a home hazard hunt.

• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.

• Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.

• Determine the best escape routes from your home.

• Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.

4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan

• Quiz your kids every six months, conduct fire and emergency evacuation.

• Replace stored water every six months and stored food every six months.

• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.

• Test your smoke detectors monthly and charge the batteries at least once a year.