Family Disaster Plan - Chemical Emergencies and Response

How to Make a Family Disaster Plan

Making a Family Disaster Plan will help each family member to stay calm in an emergency. But most important, planning ahead can save the lives of the people you love. The plan should include what task each family member is responsible for during an emergency, where supplies are kept, how family members will let one another know where they are going if they are evacuated, and where everyone will meet when the disaster is over. 

What You Need

A Family Disaster Plan should include a Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Let each member of the family help put it together. The kit should include:

  • A battery-operated radio
  • A county map
  • A first-aid kit
  • Bath-size towels
  • Bottled water (at least 3 gallons per person)
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • List of family medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids
  • Non-perishable snack food
  • Plastic garbage bags
  • Wide tape

Ask one person to be responsible for replacing water every three months and food every six months. Batteries should also be replaced on a regular basis. Tape the call letters and frequency numbers of your emergency alert radio stations (EAS) on the radio and make sure everyone knows how to work the radio and put in fresh batteries. Also tape the channel number of the television emergency broadcast stations on your TV. 

Note: Every member of the family should know where the Family Disaster Supplies Kit is located and it should be stored within easy reach. 

Protecting Your Children

If you are a parent, don't assume that you will always be with your children in an emergency. Make sure they know how to protect themselves if you are not available to help. 

At the beginning of the school year, take time to study the school or day care center emergency protective action plan, and discuss it with your children and their babysitters.