1. Establish a meeting point outside your home:
Choose a specific location where all family members can gather in case of an evacuation. This ensures that everyone can be accounted for quickly and safely.
2. Designate an out-of-town emergency contact person:
Select a relative or friend who lives outside your area as the main point of contact. This person can help coordinate information and relay messages if local communication is disrupted.
3. Create a communication plan for family members:
Establish a method for staying in touch during an emergency, such as text messaging or social media. Ensure everyone knows how to use it and has access to a fully charged phone.
4. Assemble an emergency supply kit:
Prepare a kit with essential items like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. Customize it to suit your family's specific needs.
5. Document important information and contacts:
Keep copies of identification, medical records, insurance policies, and contact information for healthcare providers in a waterproof container. Share this with family members.
6. Determine evacuation routes and destinations:
Plan ahead for evacuation routes and identify safe locations where your family can seek shelter if necessary, such as a relative's house or a designated emergency shelter.
7. Identify a safe location within your home:
In case you need to take shelter at home, choose a room that provides the most protection, ideally one without windows, and stock it with emergency supplies.
8. Teach family members basic first aid:
Enroll in a first aid and CPR course to ensure that you and your family members can provide immediate assistance in case of injuries or medical emergencies.
9. Plan for the care of pets:
Don't forget your furry friends. Include their needs in your emergency plan, including food, water, and a safe place for them during evacuations.
10. Regularly review and update your emergency plan:
Sit down as a family periodically to review and update your emergency plan, ensuring that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.