An emergency can upend the lives of those you love most. Quick, decisive action is crucial in these circumstances, from house fires to hurricanes and anything in between. Here’s how to create a family emergency plan for peace of mind before disaster strikes.
1. Know Who to Contact
Your family emergency plan should begin with a list of contact information for local first response agencies, out-of-state relatives, and close friends in case you need a safe place to shelter. In certain emergencies, you may be unable to use your mobile phone, so it’s important to write down these contact numbers. This enables you to access critical information even if you only have a landline telephone.
2. Establish a Meeting Point
Your children or spouse might not be at home when a hurricane or other disaster affects your neighborhood, or you might become separated in the aftermath of unexpected chaos. To account for this possibility, establish an off-site meeting place everyone can reach. Choose a community shelter or another central, accessible location to ensure your family has a safe place to wait for and reunite.
3. Plan to Shelter in Place
Certain types of emergencies, such as severe storms, might not require evacuation. If you plan to shelter in place, stock up on disaster preparedness items and enough first-aid supplies for everyone in your household. Be sure also to have extra blankets, spare clothes, and batteries for flashlights, radios, and other essential electronics.
4. Store the Right Supplies
Stock up on essential items for medical care and other basic needs, like water bottles, nonperishable food, first aid supplies, heavy blankets, and flashlights with batteries. Track the expiration dates of all food items and follow a “first-in, first-out” policy so you can consume and replace the food before it spoils. Store these essentials in a secure location, and make sure there’s enough on hand to shelter in place for at least three weeks.
5. Seal Off a Safe Room
If you need to shelter in place, local or federal authorities often advise sealing off a room in your home to prevent outdoor air from entering the interior living space. Choose a room to store food, medical supplies, and other necessary items in advance. You won’t be able to leave this area in an emergency, so make sure you can access all supplies.
When sealing a room, turn off air circulation equipment, such as fans and HVAC systems: store tape and plastic sheeting to tape plastic coverings over duct registers, windows, or doors. Keep a radio with extra batteries in this room, too—you’ll need to listen to local radio broadcasts to know when you can leave the sealed room.
6. Create an Evacuation Plan
Whether you choose to evacuate or a mandatory evacuation is ordered, planning for a quick departure is crucial. Each family member should pack a bag with at least three changes of fresh clothes, extra sweaters and jackets, hygiene products, mobile phone chargers, snacks, and a couple of water bottles.
7. Consider Power or Fuel Needs
Plan for extended power outages as you shelter in place with an alternative energy source. A whole-house generator will keep the lights, electrical appliances, HVAC system, and other essential systems functioning until local utility providers can restore power.
Think about your fuel needs during an evacuation as well. In a natural disaster, the gas stations on your route may or may not be open. Store a few gallons of gas in portable fuel containers to mitigate potential issues. Thinking through your path will make traveling long distances in an emergency much more manageable.
Review and Modify Your Emergency Plan
Once you create a comprehensive emergency plan for your household, review it consistently. Schedule safety drills to ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. Adjust the plan as your family’s needs change. These precautionary measures could mean the difference between maximum protection and a worst-case scenario.
