Dangers affecting Douglas County can be placed into four categories: Natural Disasters, Chemical Emergencies, Terrorist Attacks and Public Health Emergencies.
Decide what could affect you or your family. Dangers affecting Douglas County can be placed into the categories below:
Natural Disasters (most common type of disaster)
Chemical Emergencies (accidents involving dangerous or hazardous materials)
Accidents can occur at:
Terrorist Attacks (low risk, but still a possibility)
Possible targets may include: large cities, international airports, or popular tourist attractions
Public Health Emergencies (when health issues affect many people)
Emergencies may include:
It's important to know what to do when disaster strikes! Create a plan your whole family can use! Talk to your parent or guardian about creating an emergency plan for your family. Below is a list of items needed in your emergency plan:
1. An Evacuation Plan
Do you know what to do if you have to leave your school early due to severe weather, fire, or hazardous material spill?
What if you have to leave your home because of an emergency?
Include answers to both of these questions in your Evacuation Plan.
Also include a map of your home locating all of the exits.
2. Two Family Meeting Places
One outside your home in case of a fire. This could be in your neighbor's yard or across the street. One outside your neighborhood in case you can't get home.
3. Family Contact Information
You need everyone's work, school, and cell numbers.
Your out-of-town contact:
What is an out-of-town contact? A friend or family member who would not likely be involved in the same emergency or disaster as you. This is who you call if you can't reach your family.
Why do you need an out-of-town contact? It may be easier to call someone out of state than someone in town
Remember: Everyone must know and understand the plan for it to work. Practice your plan frequently, and update it when anything in your plan changes.
Don't forget to think about your pets!
Emergencies can happen without warning, so having the supplies you'll need for three days will help keep your family safe.
You never know when a disaster could strike, so be prepared. With your parent or guardian, gather the materials listed below and place them in easy to carry containers.
Your kit should include 3 days of supplies for everyone in your family - even your pets!
Remind your parent or guardian to make copies of important documents like bank statements, insurance cards, driver's licenses, birth certificates, etc and put those in the preparedness kit.