Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. Having a family disaster plan will not only provide a way for you family to react but will also relieve some of the concerns when the moment arrives. Here are some ideas that will help you create a plan for you family. If you have additional ideas, please add them in them to the comments below.
- Contact the Davis County emergency management (801-451-4100) FEMA or the American Red Cross.
- Ask which disasters are most likely to happen in West Bountiful, how you will be warned and how to prepare for each. The American Red Cross website offers free online classes regarding disasters. I am looking into the options.
- West Bountiful City has an emergency preparedness page on their website. It is very long, 400 pages but valuable for our local area.
- Gather your family together to discuss the types of disasters the could occur. Explain how to prepare and respond to each. Talk about evacuation if necessary and where to go. Then practice, practice and practice some more, especially if you have young children who may be afraid and alone in a disaster.
- Plan how your family will stay in contact during and after a disaster. Consider what to do in the event normal communications are unavailable. Decide where to safely meet in case of fire. Decide where to meet outside the neighborhood in case you cannot return home and how to contact that location. Finally, and this is very wise, choose an out of state friend (or least a reasonable distance away) as a 'check-in contact" for everyone to call.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
- Show responsible family members how to and when to shut off water, gas and electricity.
- Have you installed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?
- Does every family member know how to react should a detector alarm? Change the batteries every General Conference.
- Have you prepared 72 hour kits?
- Have you made plans for child care in case parents are away or injured?
- Consider how you could help neighbors who may have special needs.
- If you have special needs, have you contacted your neighbors to solicit their assistance if needed?
