NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

Make a Plan to Prepare

It’s important to make a plan with your family in case a disaster strikes. Talk to your family members, friends, or roommates to make sure you know how you’ll contact each other, where emergency kits are located, and how you’ll reconnect after the disaster.

Step 1: Ask these questions:

• How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
• What is my shelter plan?
• What is my evacuation route?
• What is my family/household communication plan?
• Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
• Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus.

Step 2: Consider the specific needs of your household

Every household is unique. It’s important to figure out the specific needs and responsibilities that will help your family in a disaster.

Consider the different ages in your household, dietary needs, medical needs such as prescriptions or equipment, disabilities, language barriers, and your family pets.

Figuring out these aspects of your household will help you figure out how to communicate with each other, who can assist with what tasks, and what areas need to be addressed before, during, and after a disaster.

Step 3: Fill out a family emergency plan

Download and fill out this family emergency plan from Ready.gov, or use it as a template to create your own.

Step 4: Practice makes perfect

Once you’ve made your plan, it’s important to practice it a few times.

There’s no right or wrong amount of times to practice.

The important thing is that you make sure your family understands what to do.

Be prepared

Disasters can strike unexpectedly. Taking the time to make a plan for your household can help save lives. 

Take the time this month to figure out your disaster preparedness plan. 

For more information and resources, visit Ready.gov.