How Families Can Prepare for Disasters

There are many things families can do to prepare for disasters. To help keep your family safe, you should:

  • Pack a go-bag, in case you need to leave your home quickly.
  • Keep a home disaster kit, in case you need to stay inside your house for a long period of time.
  • Identify a meeting place that is not your home. This is important if your family becomes separated, cannot communicate with each other, and it is not safe to go home.
  • Decide on an out-of-state friend or family member to be the single point of contact for your family. This is because after a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance because local cell towers may become overwhelmed.

Click below for a disaster preparedness activity that you can do with your entire family:

If You Need to Leave Your Home (Evacuate)

If a disaster such as a wildfire or earthquake happens and you need to leave your home quickly, make sure you have the following basic items and information for you and your children.

  • Pack go-bags for each family member. Make sure to include everything you need:
    • Extra diapers and wipes
    • Blankets and extra clothing
  • Appropriate food, including formula, jarred baby food or breast milk for infants and children (read about infant nutrition during a disaster.)
  • Toys, books or other items to comfort
  • Know evacuation routes and exits from your home. Rehearse getting out of your home quickly at least once a year.
  • Keep your car's gas tank filled. If the power goes out, many gas stations may not be able to pump or sell fuel.
  • Make a family reunification plan–make sure family members know where to meet if you cannot go back to your home.

If You Need to Stay Inside (Shelter in Place)

In situations like a severe weather storm or chemical spill, authorities may tell people to stay inside the home. If this happens, you will need to have supplies to take care of your family.

  • Keep a disaster bin filled with essential survival items. This can include:
    • Batteries
    • Flashlights
    • Blankets
    • Changes of clothing
    • Non-perishable foods
    • Can openers
    • Tool kit
    • Axe and shovel
  • Keep extra bottles of water or supplies to disinfect water, in case tap water becomes unsafe to drink.
  • Know where the gas shut-off valve, water main valve, and circuit breaker/fuse box are for your home, and make sure you know how to open and close the valves and breakers.
  • Keep important documents safe in a water- and fire-proof container.

Preparing for Disasters That Happen When You're at Work

If a disaster happens while you are at work, there may be more things to think about.

  • Most companies have some type of emergency plan. Review your organization’s emergency preparedness manual.
  • Know where the back-up systems of communication (emergency phones, pay phones) and power (red plugs, extension cords, flashlights) are in your work area.
  • Make sure your team has an emergency call tree with accurate phone numbers and backup numbers for each employee.
  • Participate in emergency drills. These help employees become familiar with their duties and can identify weaknesses in the facility’s planning.
  • Keep a small personal emergency kit at work that may include:
    • Comfortable shoes
    • Change of clothes
    • Small food items
    • Personal medication and extra eyeglasses
    • Small amount of money
    • List of phone numbers of family and friends
  • Plan for alternate care for children, dependent elders and pets in case you cannot get home.

For more information on how to keep your family prepared for a disaster, visit Ready.gov, or the Red Cross website. 

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