Knowing what to do is your responsibility and your best protection.
4 Steps to Preparedness
- Be Informed
- Meet with household members and discuss the dangers of possible emergency events, including fire, severe weather, and terrorism.
- Learn if your community has a warning signal: what does it sound like and what should you do when you hear it?
- Find out how to help access and functional needs persons, if needed.
- Learn about what hazards exist in your community (i.e. hazardous materials site, railroad, etc.)
- Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
- Find out about the disaster plans in your workplace, your children’s school or daycare
- center, and other places where your family spends time.
- Make A Plan
Family Preparedness
- All family members must know their address and phone number.
- Teach children how and when to call or text 9-1-1 for emergency help.
- Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it is kept.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
- Plan how to take care of your pets.
Home Safety
- Find safe spots in your home where you can shelter in place or go for each type of emergency.
- Discuss what to do in an evacuation.
- Plan two unobstructed exits from every room, including the second floor and make sure everyone knows them.
- Teach children how to safely exit a window, including using an object to break glass and putting a blanket over the frame to be protected from shards of glass.
- Pick two places to meet when evacuating, such as:
- Outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
- Outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
Emergency Contacts
- Choose an out-of-town or out-of-state contact your family or household members will call, text or e-mail to check on during an emergency. Ensure everyone knows how to reach the contact person.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by each phone, including numbers for fire, police, ambulance, etc.
Important Documents
- Make a list of personal property and photograph the interior and exterior of your home.
- Store important papers and valuables in a fire proof safe or cabinet. (such as medical records, insurance paperwork, pet vaccinations, etc.)
- Maintain proper insurance coverage of your home and its contents (flood, renters, fire, and earthquake).
Safety Measures
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home (especially by bedrooms), following manufacturer’s instructions.
- Install window ladders in case you need to evacuate. Make sure all household members know where they are and how to use them.
- Build a Kit
An emergency may require you to immediately evacuate, take shelter, or go without basic services for an extended period of time. Should an emergency occur, you will need a supply of essential items to last you at least three days. These items should be included in a readily accessible 72-hour emergency supply kit, stored in a 5-gallon bucket, duffel bag, or backpack. For items to include in your kit, refer to our Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist.
- Practice and Maintain Your Plan and Kit
- Quiz your children every six months so they remember what to do.
- Conduct regular fire and emergency evacuation drills.
- Take a first aid and CPR class.
- Replace stored water and food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change the batteries twice each year when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.
Check Your Local School Preparedness Plan
- You need to know if the school will send children home or keep them at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up.
- Be sure the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pick up.
- Ask what type of authorization the school may require to release your child.
- Be aware, during times of emergency, the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls.
