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Staying connected during crises

How to create a family communications plan

In an emergency, use mobile phones to send text messages, which often work faster than phone calls.

To help mark National Preparedness Month, the Postal Service wants every employee to create a family communications plan to stay connected during emergencies.

Advance planning will help ensure you can contact members of your household during a crisis.

Take these three steps to create your family’s plan:

• Collect. Create a paper copy of the contact information for medical facilities, doctors, schools and service providers.

• Share. Make sure everyone has a paper copy of the contact information. Post another copy in a central location, such as a refrigerator or family bulletin board. Have everyone save an image of the information on their mobile devices.

• Practice. Have regular household meetings to review and practice the communications plan.

Remember: In an emergency, use mobile phones to send text messages. Often text messages can get through faster than phone calls.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s site has additional instructions on creating a family communications plan.

The USPS National Preparedness Blue page and the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov site have additional tips on preparing for emergencies.

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