Plan to Stay Safe and Healthy in an Emergency!
Riding in a car is a regular experience for many of us. It's something that happens all the time, so it starts to feel like there is less and less risk. The possibility of a disaster affecting us happens regularly as well. Many of us have had tornado warnings in our counties, or have been through blizzards or power outages without too much trouble. The more we see these threats happen without turning into a disaster, the more we feel like we're not at risk.
The fact is a disaster could happen unexpectedly; it would be horrible if it did, and planning ahead is a smart way to reduce your risk.
How to Create Your Emergency Plan
Creating an emergency plan may seem challenging, but keeping things simple will make your plan practical and easy to remember for everyone. The following list covers the few components you will need to focus on to make your plan. You can use the planning template and checklists at the bottom of the page to put together your official plan.
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Decide how you and your loved ones will react.
Taking some time to ask "what if" questions with your loved ones can help build an effective emergency plan. Write down the answers to important questions you all should know. For example, "What if we can't get to our house in an emergency, where would we meet?" "What if our cell phones are not available in an emergency?" "What if we can't find each other, is there someone out-of-town we could all check in with?"
- Put together important contact and health information in one spot.
It may seem tedious, but you will save valuable time searching for important documents and contacts in an emergency by combining all of them in your plan. Remember, disasters are unpredictable so phone numbers and medical information you may regularly have access to may not be available. Your loved ones may also need access to this information which makes putting it in the plan even more valuable.
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Think about what supplies you need.
Stocking up when an emergency happens, or is about to happen, is a natural reaction. Supply shortages can happen, and sometimes travel conditions can keep you from reaching supplies. Evaluate what you already have, and what you and your loved ones would really need in an emergency. If budgeting to buy extra supplies seems unrealistic, you could think about how to adjust your regular purchases. For example, think about your grocery list and how many of the items on it could be switched for shelf-stable foods (foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking). More shelf-stable items on hand, means more food in the cabinets that you can rely on in an emergency.
Emergency Plan Template
We will ask you to fill in information about how you and your loved ones have decided to handle emergency situations and to add your important contact and health information. When you're done, you can print the plan and keep it with your emergency supplies.
Emergency Plan Template
Emergency Checklists
Checklists are provided below to help you get started putting your emergency supplies together or inventorying what you already have. You can also print these checklists and keep them for continued planning with your supplies.
Basic Supplies
Pets
Functional Needs
Older Adults
Emergency Plan Mobile App
The Michigan Prepares Emergency Plan app is a free, easy-to-use tool that can help you and your family create a basic emergency plan in a few quick steps.
Emergency Plan Mobile App
