Family Emergency Plans

An emergency preparedness plan is your family's guide to safety. Learn about potential disasters that can occur in your community and discuss what each family member should do. To help your family survive and cope during an emergency consider the following:

  • Identify a place for family members to meet if separated by a disaster.
  • Establish an out-of-town friend or relative to act as a point of contact for separated family members to call. Make sure everyone has the number.
  • Ask your local emergency management office about your community's warning system, evacuation plans and routes and the location of public shelters near your home, work or school.
  • Complete an emergency preparedness checklist and review it with your family.
  • Depending on the type of disaster, determine the best escape routes from your house, and find the safest place in your house.
  • Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main, and natural gas main. Teach responsible family members how and when to turn these utilities off. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
  • Post emergency numbers by the telephone. The National Neighborhood Watch Program offers phone stickers for this purpose.
  • Learn emergency first aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Contact your local Red Cross chapter for details.
  • Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Use the change over from daylight savings time to standard time at the end of every October to help you remember when batteries are to be changed.
  • Show each family member where the fire extinguisher is kept. Get training on how to use it.
  • Identify potential hazards in your home and take corrective action to help reduce the risk of injury. Secure large or heavy items that could fall and cause damage or injury.
  • Practice implementing your plan.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers a wealth of information on disaster preparedness planning on their web site:

Emergency Checklist

Family Emergency Plan Ready and Practiced

Emergency Meeting Paces (at least two) Identified

Stocked Emergency Supplies Kit

Have information on Local School and workplace emergency plans

Plan for pets (many shelters do not allow pets)

Aware of established local emergency shelters

Familiar with possible evacuation routes

Family or Friend contact outside the state for all family members to contact.

Disaster Preparedness Kit

Gathering supplies in advance is an important component to any preparedness plan. Store enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you can take with you in case of an evacuation and keep them in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffel bags, or covered trash containers. Include:

  • A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) in non-breakable containers.
  • A three-day supply of nonperishable food per person.
  • One or two changes of clothing per person, and sturdy shoes. Also include rain gear, hats and gloves.
  • One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
  • A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
  • Emergency tools and supplies including a battery-powered radio, waterproof matches, compass, whistle, non-electric can opener, utility knife, map, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
  • Sanitation supplies.
  • Special items for infants (formula, diapers, bottles), the elderly (prescriptions, denture needs, eyeglasses) or disabled family members (special equipment, hearing aid batteries.)
  • Important family documents stored in a waterproof container. These can include wills, insurance policies, passports, immunization histories, and other family records.

Emergency Kit Checklist

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 Water
 Non-perishable food
 First aid supplies
 Medications
 Battery-powered radio
 Flashlight
 Duct tape /  Cash/Traveler's Checks
 Clothing
 Bedding
 Tools
 Toiletry items
 Special needs items
 Important documents

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Pet Emergency Plans

The Humane Society of the United States offers the following emergency tips and planning to better care for your pet in a disaster:

  • Make sure your pet is wearing up-to-date ID information.
  • If you evacuate, find a safe place for your pet ahead of time. Many evacuation shelters do not accept pets, except for service dogs, so compile a list of kennels, veterinary offices, or friends and relatives who may be able to care for your pet in an emergency.
  • If you do not evacuate, keep your dogs on leashes and your cats or other animals in carriers, and find a safe place in your home where you can stay together.
  • Put a supply of food and water in watertight containers. Make sure you have any medications for your pet on hand. In your preparedness kit, include bowls, manual can openers, trash bags, blankets, towels, and other waste disposal supplies. Keep these with your other emergency supplies.
  • Have an airline-approved carrier for each dog, cat or other pet, with a photo, vaccination records and any registrations.