Four Steps To Safety
Contact the Emergency Management office or the Ft. Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross.
- Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen in Kearney and the surrounding area. Request information on how to prepare for the different types of emergencies that could occur.
- Learn about the existing warning signals in Buffalo County.
- Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals will not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations, so prepare a plan for your pets.
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons.
- Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center, and other places where your family spends time.
Create A Disaster Plan
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and hazardous materials to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
- Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
- Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
- Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
Complete A Checklist
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your telephones or have them programmed into your phone (fire, police, EMS, etc.).
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 for emergency help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
- Check to see if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher and where they are located.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Conduct a home hazard hunt.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
- Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster, including your Shelter-in-Place spot.
Practice & Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz your children every six months so they remember what to do.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguishers according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Test your smoke detectors monthly and replace the batteries the same weekend as the time change occurs in the spring and fall.