Individual & Family Emergency Planning
Families can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. You can do this by making a family disaster plan, getting basic emergency training, and assembling an emergency kit full of essential supplies, which will help you endure an evacuation or home confinement.
Make a family disaster plan
- Learn about emergency procedures at work, schools, and anywhere your family spends time.
- Identify escape routes from your home. Find tow ways out of each room.
- Find safe spots in your home, especially for tornadoes and shelter-in-place.
- Pick two places to meet: Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency (like a fire) and outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.
- Pick a family contact in another state who everyone can contact if separated in an emergency.
- Conduct emergency drills once a year.
- Make plans for your pets if you need to evacuate.
Get basic emergency training
- Take classes on first aid and CPR.
- Teach your family how and when to call 911 and how to use fire extinguishers.
- Learn how and when to turn utilities off. Teach all age appropriate family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
Assemble an
emergency kit
- Gather enough supplies to last all family members for three days.
- Place supplies in easy-to-carry containers such as plastic totes or duffel bags.
- Refresh supplies every six months as needed.
- Store kits where they can be reached easily in case of emergency.
