Communication is the third thing to consider. Do you have a cellular phone? If so, do you have a spare battery that you keep charged? Do you have a mobile battery charger for it? When a disaster hits, you’ll want to contact family and friends. A cellular phone will be invaluable since you may lose electricity and you home phone will be inoperative and public phones may not be available or operational. If you do have a cellular phone, have you programmed ICE yet? ICE means “In Case of Emergency.” If something should happen to you, the paramedics and other emergency services personnel will look for identification on you but they’ll also look for an ICE listing on your cell phone. By programming the name and phone number of your “next of kin,” they’ll be able to contact them quickly and let them know where you are.
Information
The second part of the communication equation is also very important. Do you have a small battery operated radio? You’ll want news of what’s happening and this will be the most reliable way to get it if you should lose electricity. Have that radio and some extra batteries ready in a handy place in case of emergency.
Point of Contact & Rendezvous
When considering your communication plan, designate a friend or relative who does not live in your local area to be a point of contact just in case you and your family get separated. That way, if you can’t contact each other, you can each contact Aunt Mildred in Detroit and she can let you know where any lost family members are and if they are alright or not. (It is always best to let Aunt Mildred in on this plan too.) As well as having a point of contact, you should designate a rendezvous point. If you and your family are separated and can’t contact anyone, you should have a designated location for everyone to meet at. Remember that this can’t be within your local area, so the neighborhood park or the back yard is out of the question. Aunt Mildred’s house might be worth considering.