Keep the members of your household safe by creating a personal or family emergency plan. A plan not only helps inform but also reduces anxiety when an emergency happens. Sit down with household members to explain the potential dangers in the area and discuss the need for a plan. Discuss how you may be advised to evacuate to the reception center or, in case of a radiological event, to the emergency shelter at Bellows Falls Union High School. Other centers are located in Keene NH, and Greenfield MA. Be sure follow the instructions provided for your area from your local EAS radio station. Then, fill out the accompanying Emergency Plan Guide and post it where everyone can see it. Review and practice your plan regularly so each household member will remember what to do. Check the knowwhattodo.info website frequently for updates.

Things to consider

Here are some things you might want to
consider as you create your plan:

• Discuss what to do when the emergency alert is given.
• Advise children on what to do if they are home alone when the alert is given.
• Review the information in the Steps to Safety section, so every household member knows what to do for every type of emergency that could happen in the five-town district.
• Draw a house floor-plan with escape routes to use in the event of a fire.
• Establish two places for everyone to meet: one near the house and one outside the immediate area.
• Discuss how you might contact each other if you are not together when an emergency happens. Create contact cards to keep with you at all times.
• Have a friend or family member outside the area you can contact in the event you are separated during a disaster.
• Assign responsibilities ahead of time, such as who will update emergency supplies or who will take care of pets.
• Identify the reception center in Bellows Falls and ones in nearby Keene, N.H., and Greenfield, Mass., in the event of a radiological emergency.
• Review possible evacuation routes. If you have children, discuss how they will be transported by bus if they are at school.
• Contact your childcare provider about the plan in place for transportation to a reception center.
• Make note of any prescription medicines you might need to take with you as well as any important papers.