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Newsroom Chapter Blog
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Sep
7
9/7/2010 12:50 PM
 Picture this: it’s a normal Saturday afternoon. My husband and I are running errands, and we’re wandering through a big-box store. Just as we’re about to pick up detergent, an announcement comes over the loudspeaker that a tornado warning has been issued and we’re supposed to go to the middle of the store until further notice. Luckily for us we were together when the storm occurred and other than some strong winds nothing came of that storm, but it reminded us it was time to make sure that our emergency plan was up to date.
September is National Preparedness Month, so it can be a slightly less dramatic reminder to work on your family emergency plan. Here’s what to include:
- Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency
- Choose two places to meet: Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, and outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
- Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or programmed into their cell phones.
- Plan what to do if you have to evacuate
- Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. You may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary. Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.
- Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.
By taking these steps, you’ll know how to stay safe if something happens—no matter where you are!
Elena
Elena Sabin is the Community Disaster Eduction Specialist for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.
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