A Family Plan for Emergencies

EVALUATE

• Identify potential threats in your community, such as the location of floodprone
  areas, power plants and hazardous chemicals.
• Discuss how natural and man-made threats could affect your family.
• Evaluate your property’s vulnerability to hazards, such as storm surge, flooding,
  wildfire and wind.
• Check your insurance coverage. Flood damage, for example, is not covered by a
  homeowner’s insurance policy. It must be purchased ahead of time to be applicable.

PREPARE

• Identify the safest areas of your home for each threat. In many
  circumstances, the safest area may not be your home but elsewhere in your
  community.
• During times of evacuation you will be given instructions on evacuation
  routes. Specify escape routes from your home and places to meet (rally points),
  such as a neighbor’s home, a school or a public location. Make a plan for evacuating the area if required. Designate an out-of-area contact—friend or family member—so that each of your immediate family members has the same single point of contact.
• Plan to have at least two means of communication (e.g., email, phone, cell phone).
• Make a plan for your pets should you need to evacuate. Most shelters will accept service animals.
• Fill out the Family Emergency Information sheet. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
• Assemble and maintain a Disaster Supply Kit. A battery-powered weather radio equipped with a special alarm tone feature is a vital tool. During an emergency, National Weather Service forecasters will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out the special tone thatactivates weather radios in the listening area.
• Take first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

MONITOR & ACT
When a disaster occurs,

• listen to news sources for information and instructions.
• Evacuate or seek medical attention quickly if authorities tell you to do so. If you
  can get no information, determine as best you can if you are in a danger area.
  Whether you stay or evacuate, don’t panic. Follow your family plan.