Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Step 1

Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan. Be sure to consider the following:

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan? Determine safe rooms to go to if you are told not to evacuate.
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?
5. Post emergency numbers by telephones and/or program them into mobile phones. During an emergency, only use the telephone when someone needs immediate emergency assistance. Teach children their address and phone number.
6. Find out day care/school emergency procedures.
7. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
8. Learn basic first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross for help.

Step 2

Consider the specific needs of your household.

As you prepare your plan, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Plan NOT to leave pets behind. Locate a pet-friendly shelter or location – most emergency shelters do not accept pets. Consider care for livestock/farm animals
• Households with school-aged children

Step 3

Create a Family Emergency Plan. There's a simple online form available at Ready.gov that makes it easy!

Step 4

Practice your plan with your family/household.