Make-A-Plan... Be Prepared!

These are some basic steps to prepare yourself and your family before a disaster.

 

Get informed

Check with your local Emergency Management Agency or Red Cross Chapter to gather information you will need to create a plan.  Ask about hazards that affect your area, learn about community response plans, evacuation plans and possible shelter locations and community warning systems and how they work.

 

Create a Plan

Decide what routes you want to take if you need to evacuate your home.  Then make sure everyone in our household knows all escape routes, including how to get out of second story if required, and where to meet after evacuation.

Decide where to meet in case of an emergency. You should have a location outside at home as well as a location outside your neighborhood in case of a large disaster and you are unable to return home.

Choose an emergency ‘Out of Town’ contact and make sure everyone in your household knows the number to call if there is an emergency.  Local lines may not work during an emergency, having one contact for everyone to call can help you to keep track of family members during an emergency.

 

 

Maintain Your Plan

Once your plan has been completed, review it every 6 months to make sure numbers the information in the plan is still correct.  Make sure to practice evacuation drills on a regular basis to make sure everyone knows what to do during an emergency.  Restock food/supplies as needed.  Check fire extinguishers and smoke alarms monthly.

More information is available at www.ready.gov, www.fema.gov, and www.redcross.org.