2. Make a Plan
This includes a plan of a house, which participants will have to:
Meet With Your Family Members
Review the information you gathered about community hazards and plans. Explain the dangers to children and work with them as a team to prepare your family. Be sure to include caregivers in your meeting and planning efforts.
Choose an ‘Out-of-Town` Contact
Ask an out-of-town friend or relative to be your contact. Following a disaster, family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know the contact’s phone numbers.
Decide Where to Meet
In the event of an emergency, you may become separated from family members. Choose a place right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency (e.g. fire). Choose a location outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Complete a Family Communication Plan
Your plan should include contact information for family members, work and school. Your plan should also include information for your out-of-town contact, meeting locations, emergency services, etc. Teach your children how to call the emergency phone numbers and when it is appropriate to do so. Be sure each family member has a copy of your communication plan and post it near your telephone for use in an emergency.
Take Precautions
Find out and show each family member how and where to turn off water, gas and power supplies. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and install smoke detectors in your home. Store important documents (i.e. wills, passports, photos, birth certificates) in a fire/water proof container or safe deposit box. Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers near the phone e.g. Police, Fire, SES, Ambulance, Local Council, Service Providers and relatives.
Involve the Family
Discuss with the family why you need to prepare for disaster and explain the dangers to your children. Household members need to agree on and share essential tasks and responsibilities (i.e. Informing family of each individuals location, collecting school children, etc), This means working together as a team.