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INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND
HOME PLANNING GUIDE
If a major earthquake or other disaster
struck in your area today, you might be without direct assistance for
a least 72 hours. Are you prepared to be self-sufficient? Is your family?
Families can and do cope with disaster
by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Knowing what
to do is your best protection and your responsibility.
Find out what could happen to you:
- What types of disasters are most likely
to happen in your community?
- How should you prepare for each?
- How will you care for your animals following
a disaster?
- If you care for elderly or disabled
persons, how can you help them?
- What are the disaster plans at your
workplace, your children’s school, or day care center?
Individual and Family Preparedness:
- Know the safe areas in each room (under
sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls).
- Know the danger spots in each room (windows,
mirrors, hanging objects, fireplaces, and tall furniture).
- Conduct practice drills regularly. Practice
finding the safe places for yourself and your children.
- Learn first-aid and CPR from your local
American Red Cross.
- Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers.
- Pick two places to meet – right
outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire; and
outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home or are
asked to leave your neighborhood.
- Choose an out-of-state relative or friend
whom family members can call to report their whereabouts and condition.
Home Preparedness:
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble
a disaster
supplies kit.
- Install smoke alarms on each level of
your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Get training from the fire department
on how to use your fire extinguisher and show family members where
extinguishers are kept.
- Teach all responsible family members
how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main
switches or valves.
- Secure your water heater and
any appliances that could move enough to rupture utility lines.
- Plan how to take care of your animals.
- Discuss what to do if authorities ask
you to evacuate.
- Be familiar with escape routes.
Additional Resources:
(Pdf)
For More Information Contact:
- Skagit County Department of Emergency
Management (360) 416-1850.
- Islands Chapter of the American Red
Cross (360) 293-2911
Serving communities in Skagit County East of the Swinomish Slough
and Whatcom County.
- Mt Baker Chapter of the American Red
Cross (360) 424-5291
Serving communities in Skagit County East of the Swinomish Slough
and Whatcom County.
Feel free to print and
save any emergency preparedness information for your own use.
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