The Middlesex County Public Health Department has developed this "Emergency Preparedness Guide" out of concern for the safety of Middlesex County residents. As we all know emergencies whether they are from natural, accidental, or intentional causes may occur at any time, any place, and without any warning. Although we may be unable to predict or prevent an emergency from happening, there are many things that we can do to better prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities.

WHAT IS A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN?

A family emergency preparedness plan is a written guide to prepare family members for disasters in order to secure the safety of your family. The plan should meet your family's needs for 3 days and all family members should know how and when to use the plan.

HOW TO DEVELOP A FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

• Discuss any type of natural or man-made disaster that could affect your family
• Determine escape routes from your home
  • - Draw a floor plan of your home and mark 2 escape routes from each room
• Talk with employers and school officials about their emergency response plans
  • - Contact your child's school to obtain information about the school's emergency response plan
  • - If children are at school, they will be sheltered there
  • - Parents should not try to get to the school to bring their children home, unless instructed to do so
• Establish emergency phone numbers
  • - 911 (teach children how and when to use)
  • - Out of area family contact
  • - Schools
  • - Work
  • - Neighbors
  • - Police, Fire, Poison Control, Emergency Management
• Establish a single point of contact
  • - Single point of contact is a person (family member or friend who is outside of your area) whom family members should call and check in with to see if everyone is safe and/or for updated information.
  • - Have 2 ways of contact such as email, phone, fax, etc.
  • - Make sure all family members know the contact person's name, address, and phone number(s) and/or internet email address and keep this information with them
• Establish places to meet
  • - Plan how household members would stay in contact if separated
  • - Identify 2 meeting places (rally points): The first should be near your home, the second should be away from your neighborhood in the event you are unable to return home
• Prepare and emergency supply kit
  • - Include written copy of your plan in your kit
  • - Include special needs items for family members such as:
    • Infants
    • Elderly
    • Disabled
    • Include Pet Needs
• Practice your emergency plan and update as needed