Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Call your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross Office. Find out which disasters could occur in our area. Ask how to prepare for each disaster. Ask how you would be warned of an emergency. Learn our community's evacuation routes. Go to Ready.gov by clicking the banner below.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons. Also, ask your workplace about emergency plans and learn about your children's school or day care center plans.

HAVE A PLAN: Create a Family or Business Emergency Plan. Meet with household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other emergencies. Explain how to respond to each. Find the safe areas in your home for each type of disaster. Draw a floor plan of your home and mark two escape routes from each room. Show family members how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches when necessary.

Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire. Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

OUT OF STATE CONTACT: Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated during a disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit

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

• 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 nonperishable 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 glasses.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
• 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.

Prepare an Emergency Car Kit

• Battery powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Booster cables
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• 1 First aid kit and manual
• Bottled water and nonperishable high-energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter
• Maps, shovel and flares
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Kitty litter to use for traction on snow and ice.