Safeguard Your Neighborhood

Working with your neighbors when disaster strikes can save lives and property. Your Neighborhood Watch program, homeowners association or tenants group can include disaster preparedness among its activities. Discuss how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives and develop an emergency preparedness plan for your community.

Your neighborhood plan should include a resources inventory that examines how your neighborhood can tap its resources during an emergency. Identify your neighbors' special skills, such as medical or technical skills, and look at what equipment and shelter would be needed.

Your community also should identify residents who may have special needs. The elderly and disabled may need special help during an emergency. Your community may need to develop plans for children in case neighborhood parents can't get home.

During an Emergency

  • Remain calm and patient. Put your plan into action.
  • Check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
  • Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions. Evacuate, if advised to do so.

Links

  • Neighborhood Watch - provides a unique infrastructure that brings together local officials, law enforcement and citizens for the protection of communities.
  • Ready.gov - offers safety tips for communities and special situations, such as high-rise buildings.