Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, Mo. 65109

May 24, 2004

Mary Kay Hager
Office of Public Information
Telephone: 573-751-6062

Summer is Coming * Schedules are Changing * Do you have a Plan?

With summer approaching, schedules are changing. School is out, children are on their summer vacations, and family members may have different daily routines. At this time of the year, officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services remind residents to review and update their family emergency plan.

"Emergencies happen. A tornado, house fire, flood, or even a terrorist attack could occur when least expected," said Richard Dunn, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. "Being prepared for an emergency can help protect your family."

"Your family might not be together when an emergency happens," Dunn said. "That's why it's important to have a plan in place."

The state health department urged families to do the following:

• Talk about how you will reach each other in different situations. You might think about a couple of different plans. Planning for a tornado can be different than planning for a fire or other emergencies.
• Consider contacting the same friend or family member by phone or e-mail. Think about making an out-of-town family member or friend the contact. It might be easier to make a long-distance phone call instead of a local call during an emergency. It could be easier for an out-of-town person to connect separated family members.
• Make plans for two situations: staying home or leaving. You should be prepared to stay in one place (like your house) or to evacuate. Deciding whether it is best to stay or go depends on the type of emergency.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your home, car and work. If an emergency happens, you might not be able to get food or water for days or weeks, and your electricity may not be working.
• Be prepared to listen for information about what to do and where to go during an emergency. Many of us rely on television, the radio, or the Internet for news, but some emergencies might knock out the electricity. Make sure to have a battery-powered radio with extra batteries.

"The most important thing to remember in an emergency is to stay calm," Dunn said, "but by taking these steps you've made a decision to take an active role in your safety and the safety of the ones you love."

Today's announcement was made in conjunction with the department's Ready in 3 educational initiative. The Ready in 3 program was launched in March to outline three simple steps that families can take to prepare themselves for an emergency situation:

• Create a plan for you, your family, and your business
• Prepare an emergency kit for home, car, and at work
• Listen for information about what to do and where to go during an emergency.

The Ready in 3 Family Safety Guide explains these steps in more detail and provides an emergency kit checklist. For a free copy of the Family Safety Guide, call 573-751-6062 or visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' web site at http://www.dhss.mo.gov.

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