Hurricane Preparedness - Develop a Family Plan

It doesn't matter if you have kids or not, you should still have a family plan.  Now, your plan may differ depending on if you have kids and how old they are.  If you have little kids, obviously there's a lot more planning on your part.  If you have teens though, you should talk with them about what to do if you get separated.  Even if you're single you should have a plan so that family members know where you are and what's happening.

Here's a few tips to help you create your own family plan.

•  Discuss with your family the types of hazards that could affect your family (i.e., storm surge, flooding, wind).
• Locate a safe room or area for each type of situation.  In certain situations the safest place may not be in your home but someplace within your neighborhood.
• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.  
• Have an out-of-state friend or family member as a point of contact.  This is great for not only if you get separated but also so there's one point of contact for anyone to get updates if you are displaced from your home.
• Make a plan for what to do with your pets if you have to evacuate.  A lot of shelters won't take pets or require that they be in crates.  If you know this ahead of time then you won't be scrambling to find a place for them later.
• Post emergency numbers by your phone and make sure your children know when and how to use 911.
• Check your insurance coverage.  You don't want to find out after the fact that your insurance doesn't cover flood damage.
• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.
• Keep a battery powered radio for storm updates.  A helpful tip is to change the batteries in the radio at the same time you change your smoke detector batteries so you know they'll work when you need them.
• Take a first aid and CPR class.  This is a great thing during any time of the year.