We often tell you about creating a family escape plan in case fire strikes in your home. But how many of you have an emergency plan in the event of a natural disaster? In a disaster, local officials and relief workers cannot reach everyone immediately. Help may not arrive for hours or days. You and your family need to be prepared ahead of time because you won’t have time to shop or search for the supplies you will need when a disaster strikes.
Most disasters are natural disasters, the result of some force of nature, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. Some natural disasters can be predicted, such as hurricanes and severe winter storms, while others, such as tornadoes and earthquakes, happen with little or no warning.
Regardless of the type of disaster, there are things you can do to prepare. Contact your local Red Cross chapter, or visit www.community.fema.gov or www.illinois.gov ready to make sure you are aware of the potential for natural disasters in your community. After you have identified the types of disasters that could strike where you live, create a family disaster plan that can apply to any type of disaster – natural, unintentional, or intentional.
Prepare an emergency supplies kit
Disaster can occur suddenly and without warning. They can be frightening for adults, but they are traumatic for children if they don’t know what to do when these events occur. Children depend on daily routines. When an emergency disturbs their routine, children can become nervous. In an emergency, they’ll look to parents or other adults to help.
Families should prepare an emergency supplies kit and develop a plan. Practice your plan at least twice a year so that everyone will remember what to do in an emergency. Everyone in the home, including children, should play a part in the family’s response and recovery efforts. Remember: make the plan simple so everyone can remember the details.
*Just a reminder that the Public Safety Open House will be from 10AM to 3PM on Sat., Oct. 3. The event will be held at the Public Safety Campus at 1380 Aurora Avenue. Safety Town also will be open for a visit!
