Emergencies can arise suddenly, and every family member must know how to summon help.
Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers at each phone in your home, office, or outbuildings. Make sure family members know the emergency or "911" number to call for medical assistance, or the local fire department or law enforcement agency.
Include directions on how to reach your farm. Do not use directions that require daylight sightings, such as "turn west at the blue mailbox". Provide specific miles and road names or numbers. Be sure the youngest family member can read the directions.
Practice having each family member dial and ask for emergency help (use an unplugged telephone). Be sure the information given includes:
Emphasize the need to stay on the line so that the emergency operator can get necessary information. It's also helpful to discuss with your children special medical needs, such as diabetes or a heart condition, for any family member.
For more information about preparing your family for an emergency, contact your County Iowa State University Extension office.
This news release was distributed by Iowa State University Extension as part of the Safe Farm program. Safe Farm promotes health and safety in agriculture. It is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Iowa State University, and a network of groups that serve Iowa farm workers and their families. Distribution date: July 1992.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
