Family Emergency Planning

In the midst of rushing through everyday life, it is important to take a minute to prepare for emergencies. Being prepared helps you and your family minimize the impact of a disaster such as an earthquake or an emergency such as a broken leg. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility. The best way to make your family and your home safe is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Fill out pages that begin on page 18 with your family and contact information.

• In our area we have the potential of disasters from earthquakes, wildland fire, and weather related emergencies. Take time to plan for the problems related to each type of disaster.
• If you have pets make a pet plan. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
• Find out how to help elderly or disabled person in your home or neighborhood.
• Ask about disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.

Make a Family Emergency Plan:

• Meet with household members – Explain the dangers to children and work with them as a team to prepare your family to deal with emergencies.
• Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
• Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at your home.
• Decide where to meet – In the event of an emergency you may become separated from family members. Choose a place right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire. Choose a location outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
• Choose an “Out-of-Town” Contact – Ask an out-of-town friend or relative to be your contact in the event of a disaster. Everyone must know the contact’s phone number. It is often easier to make a long distance phone call than a local call from a disaster area.
• Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.
• Complete a family communications plan – Your plan should include contact information for family members, work and school.
• Escape routes and Safe Places – In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate very quickly. Be ready to get out fast. Be sure everyone in your family knows the best escape routes out of your home as well as where the safe places are in your home for each type of disaster. Draw a Home Family Escape Plan with your family outlining 2 escape routes from each room.