Household & Family Preparedness
Talk with your family about potential disasters and why it's necessary to prepare
for them. Involve each member of your family in the planning process. By showing them
simple steps that can increase their safety, you can help reduce their anxiety about
emergencies.
- Make sure everyone knows where to find your disaster supply kit and Go-bags.
- Have a flashlight and a pair of shoes under everyone鈥檚 bed in case there is an earthquake
during the night. Use a plastic bag tied to the leg of the bed to keep these items
from moving during an earthquake.
- Plan where to meet after a disaster if your home becomes unsafe. Choose two places,
one just outside your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you are told
to evacuate. Be sure your gas tank is always at least half full.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Try to identify two escape routes.
- Make sure each member knows who your family鈥檚 out-of-state contact is and instruct
them to call this person and tell him/her where they are.
- Locate the gas main and other utilities and make sure family members know when and
how to turn them off.
- Practice your evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll drills.
- Teach each member of your family how to use a fire extinguisher.
- Create emergency response cards for each of your family members.
- Take into account the special needs of children, seniors or people with disabilities,
family members that don鈥檛 speak English and pets.