Where Do We Meet?

Your physical surroundings in an emergency can have a critical impact on your survival chances. After you have become familiar with the various possible states of emergency, and you have divided up the tasks among the family members, begin to talk about your home and surroundings in the event of an emergency. Make sure to examine (as well as to scan closely) the following locations:

1. The secure space or room in the home. As a first choice, designate the Residential Secure Space (MAMAD) or the Story-wide Secure Space (MAMAK) as your secure space. These locations have been found to be effective against a wide range of threats, including earthquakes and fires. In homes without a MAMAD or MAMAK, it is essential to designate a secure room somewhere in the home based on directions from the Home Front Command. Note: Secure spaces that require you to leave your home (a communal shelter in your apartment building, a shelter in the street) are not effective against threats with a short warning span (such as Qassam rocket fire). Therefore, it is necessary to designate a space in the interior of the home, in addition to gaining familiarity with external secure spaces. Use the family discussion to define, learn and even mark the MAMAD or private shelter, or choose, define and mark the secure room. Continue the conversation only after every member of the family knows the secure space or room in the home and its access routes.

2. The location of emergency supplies. Show all family members where the emergency supplies are stored in the home. (If at all possible, it is best to store these in the secure space or room.) Make sure to note emergency supplies that are not stored inside the emergency bag you have prepared (e.g., fire extinguisher, emergency lighting). Note well: Make sure that every family member is familiar with each item and knows how and when to use it.

Choosing secure hiding and defensive spaces. Pick out other secure spaces in the home (in additional to the secure space or room). Make sure that your children are aware of such spaces in locations outside the home, such as the school and its surroundings, playgrounds and sports fields, and any other location where they spend a lot of time. Make note of sturdy lintels and doorposts (in case of an earthquake in a home without a MAMAD), stairwells (usually interior, and more reinforced that other parts of the building), security pits, walls (in case of Qassam fire), hiding places, etc. Make sure to explain to the children the rationale for choosing spaces so that they may apply the same logic to a completely unfamiliar location.
Marking weak spots. Many casualties during emergencies are actually caused by objects in the surrounding and not from the threat itself (heavy objects falling during an earthquake, glass shards during rocket or missile fire, etc.). As you note the secure spaces, make sure to enumerate the places to avoid during an emergency. Amongst these, make sure to list restrooms/bathrooms (where ceramic tile might shatter), places near heavy objects and windows, glassware, elevators, and similar spaces you have located in your surroundings.
Gas and electric outlets. Make sure that all family members know where the gas and electric outlets in the home are located, when the main electric and gas lines must be shut off, and how to do so.
Escape routes. Plan and designate the safest escape route from the home in the event that the home must be vacated immediately. Make sure to note the doorways and exits that are not in everyday use (back door, patio, deck, porch). During emergencies, these can be effective, yet the stress of the moment may cause you to head, contrary to logic, to the main point of egress which is blocked. Make sure that the members of the family are aware of the emergency staircase in the building, if this exists, as well as additional escape routes that have occurred to you. Make sure that all routes are free of hazards, moving objects (e.g., items on wheels or casters) that might block access, and flammable materials.
Meeting places near the home or in the area. Some emergencies will require you to vacate your home immediately, and might even forbid you from approaching it. Use the family discussion to designate meeting places near the home (or a public park farther away should the immediate vicinity be closed off) ahead of time. Make sure that all family members know the place, can identify it, and know how to get to it. Use this opportunity to mention that, if at all possible, the emergency supplies bag should be taken from the home in case of immediate evacuation.

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