Make a Plan for Emergencies

Creating and practicing an emergency plan ensures your family knows how to react in a crisis. Follow these simple steps to prepare:

Talk with your family or household members about how to prepare for and respond to emergencies that are most likely to occur where you live, work, study, and play.

Step 2: Assign Responsibilities

Assign specific roles to each household member and discuss how you’ll collaborate during an emergency.

Step 3: Practice Your Plan

Rehearse as many aspects of your emergency plan as you can, so everyone is familiar with their role.

Consider Common Emergency Scenarios

Focus on Likely Emergencies

Plan for events that are most likely to happen in your area. Be aware of the natural disaster risks in your community.

• Prepare for common emergencies such as house fires or floods.
• Plan for region-specific risks like tornadoes, tsunamis, or volcanic eruptions.
• Think about situations requiring sheltering in place (e.g., winter storms) versus those that may require evacuation (e.g., hurricanes).
• Refer to our emergency resource library for advice on preparation, response, and recovery from specific events.

Plan for Separation During an Emergency

It’s important to have a plan in case you’re separated from family members:

• Choose two meeting places:
  • Just outside your home, for emergencies like a fire.
  • A location outside your neighborhood if you cannot return home or need to evacuate.
• Select an out-of-area emergency contact: This can be helpful if local lines are overwhelmed. Everyone should have contact information saved in their phones and written down. Share these details with places where your children spend time, like schools or daycare.
• Account for family members who may live elsewhere: Consider how your plan will change if they’re at home, away at college, deployed in the military, or traveling.

Create Emergency Contact Cards

Make sure every family member has a card with emergency contact information, to be used if you are separated during an emergency.

Plan for Evacuation

Decide where you would go and which routes you would take if you need to evacuate:

• A hotel or motel
• A friend or relative’s home in a safe location
• A designated evacuation shelter

Practice evacuating twice a year, following these steps:

1. Pack your emergency kit and take your planned evacuation route.
2. Plan alternate routes in case of road closures.
3. Save maps and locations on devices like smartphones and GPS units, and keep paper copies.

Don’t forget about your pets! Prepare for their needs by keeping a list of pet-friendly hotels and animal shelters along your evacuation routes. If it’s unsafe for you to stay, it’s unsafe for them too.

Consider Everyone in Your Household

Some household members may need extra support during an emergency, making preparation even more important:

• Older Adults
• People with Disabilities
• Children
• Pets

Keep Loved Ones Informed

Read our tips for reconnecting with loved ones during an emergency and decide which methods your family will use to stay in touch.

By having a clear plan in place, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of your family during any emergency.