Create an Emergency Plan

When making an emergency lan, consider the following:

  • Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.
  • Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
  • Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
  • Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.
  • Learn how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches.
  • Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
  • Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).
  • Pick two meeting place
    1. A place near your home in case of a fire.
    2. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
  • Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
  • Teach children how and when to call 911, police, and fire.
  • Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.