Safety office offers important steps to prepare for emergencies Published April 12, 2010 By 87th ABW Safety office JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- An emergency action plan is important to prepare families in the event an emergency strikes. It's important to have a plan and know how to execute it at anytime, whether it's a natural disaster like a hurricane or flood, or even something as devastating as a terrorist attack on the country. The following are some general disaster preparation principles: Designate meeting places - Pre-arrange a meeting place outside of the home. All family members should meet there in the event of a fire or other home emergency. Also, designate an out-of-area meeting place in event family members are away from home and unable to return. Arrange an out-of-state contact - Family members should keep the phone number of an out-of-state contact with them. They should call this contact if anyone is lost or separated during a disaster. Local phone service is frequently disrupted during disasters, but calls to an out-of-state contact will usually get through. Also, text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to connect. Prepare a disaster kit -Have emergency supplies prepared before disaster strikes. Practice safety routines - Conduct regular drills to practice evacuating the house, reaching predetermined meeting places and getting to safe areas in the home in case of earthquakes, tornadoes and flooding. Practice the drills to ensure everyone knows what to do. Avoiding tap water during a disaster - Tap water should be avoided during a disaster, particularly with flooding. Sterilize and fill the bath tub with water if there is warning before a disaster strikes. Also, keep an emergency supply of bottled drinking water in disaster kits. Ensure family members have a way to call the emergency contact - Program emergency contacts under the name "ICE" (in case of emergency) in cell phone numbers. Emergency personnel will often check victims ICE listings in order to get a hold of a contact in the event of an accident. Its important to let family and friends know they are listed as emergency contacts. Keep a calling card, cell phone or loose change to ensure a phone call can be placed in the event of an emergency.