Small steps to prepare your community for emergencies July: Family Communication Small steps to prepare your community for emergencies

We are used to staying in touch with cell phones, internet and email, but they might not be available in a disaster.

Do 1 Thing Calendar January: Make a Plan February: Water March: Sheltering May: Work, School & Community June: Unique Family Needs April: Food July: Family Communication August: Get Involved September: Be Informed November: Emergency Supplies October: Power December: First Aid

Why Do 1 Thing? There may be many people who count on you every day. When a disaster happens, you may not be with them. There are things you can do now to make sure they will be better prepared in a disaster, even if you can’t be with them. Taking small steps now can help you be prepared even if you are not at home when disaster strikes.

Choose one thing to do this month Make sure you can use your phone if the power goes out. Plan how your family will stay in touch during a disaster. Program emergency numbers into your family’s phones.

Option #1: Make sure that your phone will keep working if the power goes out.

If you use a cell phone: Get a car charger for your phone, or a battery pack backup. If your phones have text messaging, make sure everyone in your family knows how to use it. Cell phone towers may be overloaded in a community emergency, but text messages often get through when calls don’t.

If you have a landline phone Landline phones will still work when the power goes out, unless they have a cordless handset. If you use a cordless phone, make sure you have a phone with a cord as a backup.

Important! Remember: Never call 911 to get information about what is going on in an emergency. Only call 911 if you need help.

Make a plan to make sure your family can stay in touch in a disaster. Option #2: Make a plan to make sure your family can stay in touch in a disaster. Select the slides that apply to the area in which you are presenting.

Important Numbers Write or print a list of important numbers so that you will have them if your cell phone is lost or damaged. Keep an emergency contact card in your purse or wallet, and one in your emergency kit. Make sure everyone in your family has one.

Outside the area contact If local lines are busy, long distance calls will often still go through. Choose an emergency contact outside of the area that your loved ones know to call and check in with. Make sure their number is on your printed emergency contact list.

Social Media Many social media sites will help families connect after a disaster. American Red Cross: Safe & Well Google: Person Finder Facebook: Safety Check Find out if one of these sites will work for you and let family members know which one to check if you are separated in a disaster.

Option #3: Program emergency information into everyone’s phone.

ICE – In case of emergency Make an entry in your cell phone named ICE with the phone number of your emergency contact. If you are unconscious or unable to provide information responders will know who to call. If you keep your phone passcode protected you won’t be able to use ICE. An emergency contact card in your wallet is another way to let responders know who to contact.

Emergency Numbers Program your outside of the area contact’s number into family member’s cell phones Include other important numbers such as doctors, schools, and pharmacies as well Make sure that phone numbers are kept up to date

Not knowing if loved ones are safe is one of the biggest sources of stress in a disaster. Plan ahead to stay in touch.

August: Get Involved Next Month… Connected neighborhoods and communities are better able to withstand and recover from disasters. Many people want to help in a disaster. Find out what you can do now to be ready when you are needed in your community.

For more information Presenter’s name Contact Information Do 1 Thing http://www.do1thing.com Email: contact@do1thing.com