When a disaster strikes, it's possible you and your family may be apart. Sometimes a disaster occurs while you're at school and your parents are at work, and though both your school and your parents' workplace have plans in place specifically for these situations, it's important for your family to have a plan of their own for communicating during a disaster.

Unless you are in immediate danger, send , send a text. Texts often have an easier time getting through during emergencies, and you don’t want to tie up phone lines needed by emergency responders (like 911).

This is what your family should include in the plan:

• The phone number and e-mail address of an out-of-town contact (a family member or friend).
• The name, address and phone number of the places family members spend the most time at away from home; schools, daycares, workplaces, etc.
• Also, find out where each place evacuates in the event of a disaster so you will be able to find one another easily.
• The phone number of the family doctor.
• A copy of the Emergency Reference Plan, which you can download in .pdf form. Or a copy of the Two Week Ready Checklist.
• Print out the plan, fill in the information and make sure each of your family members carries their card with them!