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Natural disasters and emergencies may not normally occur while you are at home where your emergency supplies and food storage are kept. Because of this, it is important to have an emergency plan for the various places your family spends time. Our homes, schools and workplaces should have site-specific preparations for an emergency.

Work

Think about what you have at your office that will help you get through an emergency. Maybe you have a candy bar or a package of stale donuts in your desk drawer or maybe just an old pack of chewing gum. At least that's a start! Do you even know if your company has an evacuation plan or how to use that plan? The following are some simple ideas to help you feel safe at work, even during an emergency.

Keep a backpack or duffle bag of your own personal supplies in a desk drawer. This pack could include the following:

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Emergency bag or blanket (very compact and made of a special material that reflects up to 90% of your body heat)
• Food (high calorie food bars, MREs, granola bars, fruit bars, candy bars, crackers, fruit leather, raisins, nuts, prepackaged foods, etc.)
• Water pouches or juice boxes
• Pair of walking shoes
• Multi function knife
• Mini first aid kit (adhesive bandages, rolled bandages for sprains, pain reliever, any medication you need, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic first aid cream, etc.)

In addition to packing a small survival kit, here are some other important things you can do:

• Read your company's evacuation plan. If your company doesn't have one, volunteer to prepare one. Make sure there is a good designated meeting location and every employee knows where to go.
• Make sure you are aware of the exit routes in your building.
• Know where the fire extinguishers and first aid kits are located.
• Note the locations of stairways as you walk from room to room.
• Carry a card in your wallet or purse that has important phone numbers including the number of your out-of-state phone contact.
• Keep the area under your desk free of trash cans and clutter. This area is the best place to secure yourself in the event of an earthquake.
• Don't count on being able to get back to your desk for personal supplies if you are away when an emergency occurs. Store additional supplies in your car, such as an emergency car kit.
• Be sure you discuss a meeting plan with your family so they know where to go and when to expect you.

School

Schools should already have an emergency plan to make sure your children are safe, but do you know enough about it to explain it to your children? The following are ideas to help you and your children feel safe away from home during an emergency.

Contact your school district to find out about their emergency plan and the policy on how children will be released from school. Some schools already have an emergency classroom kit. Find out where it is located. Also, help your child prepare a small disaster kit for them to keep in their locker or desk. This kit could include the following:

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Emergency bag or blanket (very compact and made of a special material that reflects up to 90% of your body heat)
• Food (high calorie food bars, MREs, granola bars, fruit bars, crackers, candy bars, fruit leather, raisins, nuts, prepackaged foods, etc.)
• Water pouches or juice boxes
• Comic book for stress or boredom relief
• Mini first aid kit (adhesive bandages, rolled bandages for sprains, pain reliever, any medication you need, gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic first aid cream, etc.)Make sure your child knows how to use these first aid items properly.

Help your child understand when they are allowed to use their disaster kit and exactly how to use it. You should also include an identification card with their name, address, telephone number, emergency telephone numbers, birth date, and a reminder note to stay calm.

Make a family fun night out of getting everyone prepared. Here are some ideas to help your family feel prepared wherever they are:

• Discuss your family emergency evacuation plan from your home in case of fire or other disaster, and a specific location to meet.
• Help your children memorize important phone numbers.
• Teach them the location of the nearest police and fire stations and their phone numbers.
• Know the route to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Meet with your neighbors and find out who has medical experience and have a training night.
• Give spare keys to your trusted neighbors.
• Show your children where the utility shutoffs are and how to shut them off.
• Keep your car's gas tank at least half full.
• Familiarize your children with emergency preparedness products by going through your home emergency kit.

It is important to think ahead and communicate with others in advance. By following these guidelines you will be better prepared to safely reunite with loved ones during an emergency.