City of Manassas, VA . . . Now that the festivities of holiday parties and family gatherings draw to a close, it’s time to make a resolution to be ready. The one thing that is always constant is that weather is unpredictable. Be prepared ahead of time for winter storms, tornadoes, spring flooding, hurricanes and other weather events.
The City of Manassas wants to help you get started in 2013 with an emergency plan. Decide with your family:
* Who is your emergency point of contact? Choose an out-of-town friend or relative to be your contact. During emergencies, it is often easier to make long distance rather than local calls. So choose an out-of-town person to call who can help communicate among your family members if you are separated from each other because of the emergency. Make sure every family member knows your emergency contact’s phone number.
* Where are your meeting places? In case you can’t return to your home, choose a place to meet in your neighborhood and another place outside your neighborhood if you can’t get back in there. Your neighborhood meeting place may be a friend’s house on the next street. A meeting place outside your neighborhood may be a nearby church, store or another friend’s home.
* Do you own a small business? If so, find helpful information and steps on how to protect your business against disasters at www.Ready.gov<http://www.Ready.gov>.
Emergencies will happen, but taking action now helps minimize the impact. Get a free worksheet at www.ReadyVirginia.gov<http://www.ReadyVirginia.gov> or call toll-free 1-866-782-3470 to have one or more mailed to you, free of charge.
