Ask Mr. Pedometer and Friends…on How to Prepare to Evacuate in an Emergency 

September 11, 2019

Q:  Mr. Pedometer, there have been grass fires in our valley area lately.  How do we prepare to evacuate in an emergency?

A: September is National Emergency Preparedness Month.  The theme for 2019 is “Prepared Not Scared.”  As the website notes, you can start by sitting down with your family members to create a plan.

Make A Plan

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together How to Prepare to Evacuate in an Emergency, make a planif a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area.  Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.

  1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
  2. What is my shelter plan?
  3. What is my evacuation route?
  4. What is my family/household communication plan?

 

Step 2:    Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance.  Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

  • Different ages of members within your household
  • Responsibilities for assisting others
  • Locations frequented
  • Dietary needs
  • Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
  • Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
  • Languages spoken
  • Cultural and religious considerations
  • Pets or service animals
  • Households with school-aged children

 

Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan

Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to create your own.

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

 

As we see on the news the devastation hurricanes have on other parts of the country, it is a good incentive to live up to the motto of “Prepared Not Scared.” Let’s remind one another to move ahead with emergency preparedness – no more procrastinating!

For more information on how to prepare to evacuate in an Emergency Preparedness click here

EAT RIGHT, MOVE MORE, AND SLEEP WELL TO BE WELL.