Emergency Planning Tips

Every family member - including children - should take part in the family's response and recovery efforts. Keep the plan simple so everyone can remember it.

Free Fire Safety Coloring/Activity Book - FEMA Fire Safety for Kids

Develop a family disaster plan and practice it every six months, so that everyone will know what to do in an emergency.

Making and Practicing Your Family Evacuation Emergency Plan

1. Discuss what to do in an evacuation. When told by officials, go immediately to a shelter as instructed or to the home of a friend or relative who lives out of the area. Find out about your local shelters beforehand.

2. Know evacuation routes. Pre-establish several different routes in case certain roads are blocked or closed.

3. Family members can become separated during an emergency. Be prepared by creating a plan for how to reach one another. Establish an out-of-area contact (such as a relative or friend) who can coordinate family members' locations and information should you become separated. Make sure children learn the phone numbers and addresses, and know the emergency plans.

4. Quiz children every six months so they remember what to do, where to go, and whom to call in an emergency.

5. Decide how to take care of pets. Pets are not allowed in places where food is served, so you will need to have a place to take your pets if you have to go to a shelter.

6. Post emergency phone numbers (fire, police, ambulance, etc.) by the phone.

7. Assemble a family disaster supplies kit and keep a smaller one in the trunk of each of your vehicles.