Table 2.

Elements of a Household Emergency Plan

Have a meeting with the members of your household to discuss the possible emergencies that exist and how to respond to each. Identify the safe areas in your home for each type of emergency. Explain what to do about power outages and personal injuries. Draw a floor plan of your home and identify two escape routes from each room. Show household members how to turn off the electricity, water, and gas at the main switches when necessary. Identify emergency phone numbers and post near telephones. Teach your children how and when to call 911. Identify one out-of-state and one local contact (relative or friend) for family members to call if separated during an emergency. Teach your children the phone numbers for your contacts. Identify two emergency meeting places: near your home in case of a fire & outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after an emergency. Take course for CPR and First Aid. Family records should be kept in a water and fireproof container. Instruct family members to monitor local radio and television stations for emergency information.

Source: East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office for Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness website, http://www.brgov.com/dept/oep/. Accessed September 30, 2011.