Make a Plan.
Talk.
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Meet with your family or household members.
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Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
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Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.
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If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.
Plan.
Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency.
Choose two places to meet:
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Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire
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Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
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Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.
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Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or programmed into their cell phones. Download the Family Communications Plan and Card.
- Make sure every family member has a copy.
- After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. All family members should call this person and tell them where they are.
Plan what to do if you have to evacuate.
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Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. You may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.
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Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.
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Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.
Plan for pandemic influenza:
During a flu pandemic you may be asked to stay home for an extended period of time, even if you are not sick. Schools and workplaces may close, and public gatherings such as sporting events or worship services may close temporarily. Mass transportation such as subways, buses, trains and air travel may be limited. You, your family and friends may need to rely on each other when you cannot depend on the services you normally use.
Plan ahead of time by:
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Talking with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick.
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Finding out your employer's plans to keep the business open if key staff can't come to work.
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Asking your child's school or day care if there are plans to encourage children who are sick to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease.
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Identifying how you can get information, whether through local radio, TV, Internet or other sources. Click here for more information on how to prepare for a flu pandemic.
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