Prepare Your Family for Emergencies

Prepare your family for emergencies by practicing with your children the various emergency situations that can happen and what is involved. Make sure to inform them that if you are unable to pick them up that they know who will pick them up and that it is ok to go with them. Review this at least twice a year with your children, depending on their age this can be a very stressful situation for them especially if you are separated for more than a day. Do what you can now to prepare them and reassure them.

• Make sure your children have on them at all times an emergency card this contains important contact information if you become separated.
• Ask your children’s school or daycare about there emergency policies. Find out how they will communicate with families during an emergency.
• Ask if the school stores adequate food, water, and other basic supplies.
• Find out what type of authorization the school needs to release your children to a designated person if you can’t pick them up yourself.
• Find out if the school is prepared to shelter-in-place if need be, and where they plan to go if they must get away. In cases where schools institute procedures to shelter-in-place, you may not be permitted to drive to the school to pick up your children. Even if you go to the school, the doors will likely be locked to keep your children safe. Monitor local media outlets for announcements about changes in school openings and closings, and follow the directions of local emergency officials.
• Make sure the school or daycare have updated contact information for parents, guardians, and caregivers and designated persons.
• Inform your babysitter of your families’ emergency procedures and supply them with the emergency contact numbers as well as the escape plan.

People with special needs

If you have special needs: Find out about special assistance that may be available in your community. Register with the office of emergency services or the local fire department for assistance so needed help can be provided.

• Establish a support network of friends, relatives, health-care providers, co-workers, neighbors who understand your special needs.
• Write down details of your medical conditions allergies, surgeries, medications, health screenings, recent vaccinations, health screenings, medical history insurance information.
• Talk to your doctor about preparing a grab-and-go bag with a two week supply of medications and medical supplies if possible. Include prescriptions and medical documents. Remember that pharmacies may be closed for some time even after an emergency is over.
  
  More:
• If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building, have an escape chair
• If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the building
• Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for service animals, and any other items you might need
• Be sure to make provisions for medications that require refrigeration
• Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you require

Prepare your family for emergencies by using the resources found in this section and by contacting local authorities to find out more about the potenial dangers in your area. Please consider the cost of being prepared vs. not being prepared.