Family Disaster Plan

Find Out What Could Happen to You

  • Find out what type of disasters could occur in your community as well as your neighborhood and how you should respond.
  • Arrange for the care of your animals before a disaster occurs.
  • Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s school or daycare and other places where your family spends time.

Create a Disaster Plan

Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Discuss the types of hazards you’re at risk from and how to respond.

Places to Meet

Pick two places to meet in the case of emergencies:

  • Right outside your home in case of a fire
  • Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home

Family Contact

Ask an out-of-state person to be your “family contact.” After a disaster it’s often easier to call long distance. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.

Evacuation Plans

Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan what to do with your pets.

Put Your Plan into Action

  • Post emergency telephone numbers by each phone in your home
  • Teach children how and when to call 911
  • Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches
  • Check if you have adequate insurance coverage
  • Teach family members old enough how to use the fire extinguisher and show them where it’s kept
  • Install smoke detectors on each level of your home
  • Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
  • Take a first aid and a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) class
  • Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room
  • Find the safest location in your home for each type of disaster

Practice & Maintain Your Plan

  • Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do
  • Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills periodically
  • Replace stored water and rotate stored food every six months
  • Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s)
  • Test your smoke detector monthly and change the batteries annually

Things You Should Know

  • Know the county emergency advisory levels and what they mean
  • Know where the area shelters are located
  • Important phone contact numbers
  • What to expect at a shelter