COMMUNICATION PLAN

When Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast, many people did not know what to do. The Home Safety Council wants every family to be ready in case something like this happens where they live.

Being prepared starts with having a conversation. It is important for your family to talk about the kinds of things that can happen in your area and know what to do if something happens where you live. Develop a family communication plan and assemble disaster supply kits that are stored in an identified place in the home.

Your communication plan should include:

	Places in and out of your town where you and your family could meet.
	Phone numbers of in-town contacts.
	An address and phone number of someone out of town (this could be a friend or relative).
	You can write this information on a card that each family member keeps with them.

Help your children feel safe.

• Discuss and learn together about the different types of weather that can affect
  your area.
• Tell your children that you or another grownup will be there to help if something happens. Talk about how a relief worker, firefighter, police officer, teacher, neighbor or doctor might help.
• Put a list of emergency numbers by each telephone in your home. Tell you children what each number is for. You should also list the work and cell phone numbers of family members.

Click here to download Communication Cards for your family.