SFkids Spotlights
Create a Family Disaster Plan
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Read more...
Tips from 72hours.org — Make a Plan
After a major disaster, it is unlikely that emergency response services will be able to immediately respond to everyone’s needs, so it’s important to be prepared to take care of yourself and your family. Plan to be on your own for at least the first 72 hours.
The following steps will help you prepare for any emergency:
• Designate an out-of-area contact person.
• Duplicate important documents and keep copies off-site, either in a safety deposit box or with someone you trust. Documents may include: passport, drivers license, social security card, wills, deeds, financial statements, insurance information, marriage license and prescriptions.
• Inventory valuables, in writing and with photographs or video. Keep copies of this information off-site with your other important documents.
• Make a household/family plan. Involve all key people in planning.
• Make your home safe.
• Put together a disaster supply kit. Plan to have supplies for yourself and your family for at least 3 days following a disaster.
• When planning, consider the special needs of children, seniors or people with disabilities, family members that don’t speak English and pets.
Family Password
In the event of an emergency if your child needs to be picked up by someone they don't know, how would they know that it's ok? Many families have a "family password," a word that is only given out by the parent in the event of a real emergency. The family password lets your child know that you've said it's ok for this person to pick them up and that this is someone they can trust.
Read more on child safety in the event of an emergency from ChildWatch.org. The website also offers tips on training your child in case of emergencies, like what to do if they get lost.
Related SFkids Pages
• Also see the SFkids Crisis page or Safety for more information.