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Transportation security and your family

What can you do?

Create an emergency communications plan. Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur.

• Your contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact.
• Make sure every household member has e-mail addresses and telephone numbers (home, work, pager and cell) for the contact and each other. Leave these numbers at your children's schools and at your workplace.

Establish a meeting place

Having a predetermined meeting place away from your home will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. You may want to make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in case of an emergency.

• Be sure to include any pets in these plans, since pets are not permitted in shelters and some hotels will not accept them.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit

If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to stay in your home, having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable. Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-carry container such as a duffel bag or small plastic trash can.

• Include "special needs" items for any member of your household (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each household member, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and extra batteries, food and water and tools.
• Include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit.

Emergencies while children are at school

In an emergency, your children may be sheltered at school or evacuated. If protective actions are being taken at your children's school, do not go to the school. School personnel are trained to handle emergencies.

• Do not call your child's school. You could tie up a phone line that is needed for emergency communications. 
• Listen to local emergency radio and TV stations to learn when and where you can pick up your children.

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Questions about the content of this page:
Paul Wolfe, paul.wolfe@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: May 22, 2012