Elements of a Family Emergency Plan

It is important to make plans for a large-scale emergency. Discuss this with your family. Identify an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to make a long distance phone call than to call across town, so a personal out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone or a pre-paid phone card to call that personal emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel may check your ICE listings in order to contact someone you know. Tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as personal emergency contacts.

In your family discussions, designate where you might meet if you had to leave your home. And, where would you meet if you had to evacuate your town? Consider the possibility of talking about this with your neighbors and forming a neighborhood watch system.

Also, prepare a list of items you should take with you if you had to leave home quickly. Suggestions:

Canned soup/crackers Granola/protein bars Juice boxes/canned milk “Ready to Eat” food

Canned fruit, tuna, etc. Can opener (non-electric) Baby food/formula Bottled water/pet food

Extra house/car keys Cash ATM/credit cards Flashlights/extra batteries Prescription meds

Board games, cards, books Cell phone & contact list Battery chargers First aid kit Rain gear, warm clothes