An evacuation plan is a must have for anyone in an emergency situation. Disasters often happen without warning so it is important that your family knows what to do. Communicating with your loved ones is critical for getting them safety through the emergency.
Evacuation plans can be written down and discussed amongst your family members. When crafting one, be sure to include the following elements:
Where to Meet – Different members of your family might be at different places when disaster strikes. They could be at work, school, or running errands around town. Having a prearranged place where everyone knows where to go will save a lot of guesswork when the time comes.
How to Get There – If a disaster strikes, there might be designated evacuation routes in your town or city. It never hurts to know alternate routes and keep at least half a tank of gas in one vehicle. If you know that disaster is imminent, fill your gas tank all the way. Watch out for roads that may be washed out or inaccessible.
How to Communicate with Each Other – In the event of an emergency, the first thing that you want to do is make sure your loved ones are safe. However, when disaster strikes, normal methods of communication might not be available. Think about how your family members could get a hold of one another in different situations and who else each one could contact. You might have your child carry a contact card with important phone numbers in their school backpack just in case.
Secure Your Home – If you have time to do so, it never hurts to secure your home by closing and locking windows and doors. Unplug small appliances like televisions, radios, and computers. You might need to shut off the water, gas, and electricity to your home before you have to evacuate. You might need to instruct your children on how to do this in your absence.
Grab Your Emergency Kit – Remember that emergency kit that is stashed in your closet or car? Don’t forget to bring it along. It will have all of your emergency supplies that you and your family will need for disasters like extra food, water, tools, and clothes. If you have a pet, make sure your kit has everything that he or she needs as well.
Practice – Since practice makes perfect, the American Red Cross suggests that you rehearse your evacuation plan at least twice a year. That way you can work out the kinks in your plan and drive your evacuation route.