·         Designate a location to meet in case it is impossible to return home or if you have to evacuate. Choose two locations--one near your home and one outside your neighborhood. Make sure your family knows the address of both locations.

·         Designate on an out-of-area contact person. This person should be far enough away that it is unlikely he or she would be affected by the same emergency. Family members should call this person to report their location if they cannot reach each other. Provide your contact person with important names and numbers so they can assist in keeping others posted on your situation.

·         Create an Emergency Supplies Kit and a Go Bag. Make sure that all members of your household know where these supplies are kept.

·         Keep a flashlight and a pair of shoes by each bed.

·         Determine the best escape routes from your home. Identify at least two separate escape routes and practice using them in the daytime and in the nighttime.

·         Locate your gas main and other utilities. Make sure the entire household knows where they are and how to operate them.

·         Familiarize yourself with emergency plans at places that are a part of your everyday life, such as school, work, church, daycare, etc.

·         While making your plan, consider the special needs of children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pets in your household.

·         Create a communications card (contact list with important phone numbers) for each member of your household to keep with them at all times.

·         Make copies of all important documents and keep them in a water-proof container in your Emergency Supplies Kit and Go Bag.  Important documents include: birth, marriage and death certificates; passports; social security cards; wills; insurance or Medicare cards; contracts; deeds; stocks and bonds; bank and credit card account numbers; and immunization records.

·         Catalog and photograph valuables. Keep these with your second set of documents.