Creating a Family Emergency Plan

21 items · Lifestyle · Medium difficulty · 1 hour

Prepare your family for emergencies with a step-by-step plan and go-bag checklist.

• Write a family emergency plan

  Include evacuation routes, contact list, roles, and meeting points.

• Choose a primary evacuation meeting point

  Pick a safe spot near home (e.g., mailbox, neighbor's porch).

• Choose a secondary meeting point outside the neighborhood

  Select a location accessible if you must evacuate farther away.

• Assign family roles

  Give each person a clear responsibility during an emergency.

• Assign utility shut-off responsibility

  Train one adult to turn off gas, water, and electricity safely.

• Assign first-aid and evacuation leader

  Pick who oversees first aid and directs safe evacuation.

• Assign pet care and evacuation responsibility

  Designate who grabs pets, carriers, and supplies during evacuations.

• Create emergency contact cards for each member

  Include local numbers, medical info, and an out-of-area contact.

• Designate an out-of-area emergency contact

  Choose someone who can relay information if local networks fail.

• Assemble a 72-hour go-bag for each person
• Pack water and nonperishable food for 72 hours

  Plan one gallon per person per day and include utensils.

• Pack medications and medical information

  Include prescriptions, dosages, allergies, and copies of prescriptions.

• Pack copies of important documents, cash, and chargers

  Include IDs, insurance, emergency cash, car keys, and phone power.

• Create a pet emergency kit

  Include carrier, leash, food, medications, and vaccination records.

• Plan for household members with special needs

  Note mobility, medical equipment, language, and care requirements.

• List medications and assistive devices to bring

  Include spare batteries, hearing aids, oxygen, and chargers.

• Arrange backup caregivers and accessible transport

  Identify neighbors or services who can assist during evacuations.

• Prepare a vehicle emergency kit and maintain fuel

  Keep basic supplies in the car and at least half tank during alerts.

• Back up important documents and store digital copies

  Use cloud storage and keep a printed set in your go-bag.

• Share the plan and review procedures with the household

  Walk through roles, meeting points, and practice simple actions with kids.

• Schedule and run an annual emergency drill

  Practice evacuation routes, shut-offs, and communications once a year.

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