Ask your workplace about emergency plans.
	Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school or day care center.

	Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other emergencies.
	Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.
	Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
	Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
	Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.
	Post emergency telephone numbers near phones.
	Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire.
	Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.
	Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the effected area).
	Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.
	Pick two meeting places. A place near your home in case of fire. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
	Take a basic first aid and CPR class.
	Keep family records in a water and fire-proof container.

 

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel bag.

Include:

	A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.
	A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
	A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
	Blankets or sleeping bags.
	A first aid kit and prescription medications.
	An extra pair of eye glasses.
	A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
	Credit cards and cash.
	An extra set of car keys.
	A list of family physicians.
	A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.
	Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.