Plan for a Disaster Now
Will everyone in your household do the right thing during the violent shaking of a major earthquake? Before the next earthquake, get together with your family or housemates and plan what each person will do before, during and after an earthquake. One of the best places to start is by examining your needs and those of your family. Now, try to imagine how an emergency may impact your family’s safety and well-being. How would you cook if gas and electrical service was disrupted? What appliances can you do without for several days? Will you be able to leave the area if you cannot stay in your home?
Your emergency planning should also address the care of pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safety shutting off of utilities. You may want to inquire about emergency plans at work, daycare and school. Once you’ve collected this important information, gather your family members and discuss the information to put in your plan. Practice your emergency plan at least twice a year and update it according to any issues that arise.
Escapes Routes
Draw a floor plan of your home. Use a blank sheet of paper for each floor. Mark two escape routes from each room. Make sure children understand the drawings. Post a copy of the drawings at eye level in each child’s room.
Escape Route
If your home is a two story home, plan to use an escape ladder for upper floors. Make sure everyone in your household is familiar with these products and is comfortable using them.
Where to Meet
Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by a disaster. Pick two meeting places and record the locations in several places where every household member can see them.
- A location a safe distance from your home in case of fire.
- A place outside your neighborhood is case you can’t return home.
- Practice the plan with your family, including your children.
- Make sure your children are aware of the routes away from home.
- Have a plan for family pets.
- Review the emergency plans at your workplace, your children’s school or daycare center and other places where members of your family regularly spend time away from home.
Choose an out-of-State friend or relative as a “check-in contact” for everyone to call or text.
- Make sure that person understands that they are your out-of-State contact in case of emergency.
- Give your “check-in contact” person a list of pertinent people to contact with their phone numbers!
Evacuating Yourself
Prepare now in the event of an evacuation. Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Fires, floods and earthquakes cause evacuations most frequently. In addition, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing many people to leave their homes. When community evacuations become necessary local officials provide information to the public through the media or other methods.
The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. However, many emergencies allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is so important.
Plan how you will gather your family, emergency supplies and anticipate where you will go. Be sure everyone in your family will know where to meet and who to call if separated. Always keep at least a half tank of gas in your car at all times in case of an unexpected evacuation. Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.
It is important to listen to emergency radio stations for direction on what routes to take during an emergency. Do not drive into flooded areas under any circumstances!
If time allows:
- Call or text, your “out-of-State contacts” and tell them where your family is going.
- Secure your home by closing and locking all doors and windows.
- Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
