SAFETY SENSE Tips For Staying Safe During Severe Weather

(NAPSI)-While 58 percent of moms feel their families are prepared for a severe weather emergency, only 30 percent have created and discussed an emergency communication plan, according to a recent survey by the Home Safety Council (HSC). When the weather turns severe, safety is no accident. That’s why many experts say a detailed communications plan plays a pivotal role in helping families and emergency contacts stay connected to each other during a natural disaster. To help families prepare for emergency situations, EMBARQ Corporation and the nonprofit Home Safety Council are educating families about the importance of creating an emergency communication plan. List Phone Numbers The groups created wallet-sized emergency communication cards that include space to list important phone numbers and medical information. The cards can be downloaded at www.embarq.com/severeweather. “First, families should discuss how they will communicate during an emergency and then record important plan information on their emergency communication cards,” said Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy. Communication, simple preparation and proper supplies are keys to staying safe and keeping in contact during severe weather threats. “When an emergency occurs, often the first thing people reach for is a phone to call their loved ones,” said Dan Alcazar, consumer marketing officer at EMBARQ. “This is why EMBARQ and the Home Safety Council have developed these free, wallet-sized cards.” The HSC strongly recommends having a corded landline phone, which is a phone that has a handset connected to the base of the phone by a cord. “Corded landline phones will continue to operate if the power goes out at your home,” said Appy. “It is often the most reliable source of communication in the case of an emergency.” Additional Safety Tips • Compile a “ready-to-go kit” for when your family needs to leave your home and a “ready-to-stay kit” when your family needs to stay inside your home for extended periods of time. Kits should contain water, canned food, can opener, flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, change of clothes and first-aid supplies. • Designate a safe meeting location outside your home and out of harm’s way. • Designate a safe place to stay in your home (away from windows) in case of severe weather. For more information and tips, visit embarq.com/severeweather. Communication, preparation and proper supplies are the keys to staying safe.

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