Prepare a Family Emergency Plan | Disasters

Every family member should participate in creating an emergency plan. Keep emergency telephone numbers near the phone and ensure everyone knows where first aid and disaster kits are stored. Learn how to turn off water, gas, and electricity, and how to use a fire extinguisher. Keep shoes and a flashlight by your bed for nighttime incidents.

Establish the best escape routes from your house and plan two different evacuation routes for your neighborhood. Designate two meeting points: one near your house and another outside your neighborhood.

Have contact details for friends and family and make sure they know they are your emergency contacts. Teach children how to contact emergency services, reach family members, recognize the smell of gas, and react to a fire. Provide children with a card containing their name, address, home and work phone numbers, and two emergency contact numbers.

For elderly or disabled family members, create a network of people who can assist with evacuation during an emergency.