EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST 

TORNADO*FLASHFLOODS*WINTERSTORM*
HURRICANE*FIRE*HAZARDOUS* MATERIALS SPILL 

The next time disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden
emergency. 

Learn how to protect yourself and cope with disaster by planning ahead. This checklist will help you
get started. Discuss these ideas with your family, then prepare an emergency plan. Post the plan
where everyone will see it--on the refrigerator or bulletin board. 

For additional information about how to prepare for hazards in your community, contact your local
emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross chapter. 

Emergency Checklist 

Call Your Emergency Management Office or American Red Cross Chapter 

     Find out which disasters could occur in your area. 

     Ask how to prepare for each disaster. 

     Ask how you would be warned of an emergency. 

     Learn your community's evacuation routes. 

     Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons. 

Also... 

     Ask your workplace about emergency plans. 

     Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center. 

Create an Emergency Plan 

     Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather,
     earthquakes and other emergencies. 

     Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur. 

     Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries. 

     Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room. 

     Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches. 

     Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones. 

     Teach children how and when to call 911, police and fire. 

     Instruct household members to mm on the radio for emergency information. 

     Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated
     by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area). 

     Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls. 

     Pick two meeting places. 

        1.A place near your home in case of a fire. 

        2.A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster. 

     Take a basic first aid and CPR class. 

     Keep family records in a water and fire-proof container. 

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit 

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container such
as a backpack or duffle bag. 

Include: 

     A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable
     containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months. 

     A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener. 

     A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes. 

     Blankets or sleeping bags. 

     A first aid kit and prescription medications. 

     An extra pair of glasses. 

     A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries. 

     Credit cards and cash. 

     An extra set of car keys. 

     A list of family physicians. 

     A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as
     pacemakers. 

     Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members. 

Emergency Plan 

Out-of-State Contact 

Name__________________________________________________ 

City__________________________________________________ 

Telephone (Day)________________(Evening)______________ 

Local Contact 

Name__________________________________________________ 

Telephone (Day)________________(Evening)______________ 

Nearest Relative 

Name__________________________________________________ 

City__________________________________________________ 

Telephone (Day)________________(Evening)______________ 

Family Work Numbers 

Father_________________________Mother_________________ 

Other_________________________________________________ 

Emergency Telephone Numbers 

In a life threatening emergency, dial 911 or the local emergency medical services system number. 

Police Department_____________________________________ 

Fire Department_______________________________________ 

Hospital______________________________________________ 

Family Physicians 

Name___________________________Telephone_______________ 

Name___________________________Telephone_______________ 

Name___________________________Telephone_______________ 

Reunion Locations 

1. Right outside your home____________________________ 

______________________________________________________ 

2. Away from the neighborhood, in case you cannot 

return home___________________________________________ 

______________________________________________________ 

Address_______________________________________________ 

Telephone_____________________________________________ 

Route to try first____________________________________ 

______________________________________________________ 

Escape Plan 

In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment or mobile home on a
moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast. 

Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show
the location of doors, windows, stairways, and large furniture. Indicate the location of emergency
supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, collapsible ladders, first aid kits
and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape
routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should
meet in case of fire. 

Be sure to include important points outside such as garages, patios, stairways, elevators, driveways
and porches. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper. Practice
emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year. 

Example: 

Home Hazard Hunt 

In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall,
break or cause a fire is a potential hazard. 

     Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. 

     Fasten shelves securely. 

     Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves. 

     Hang pictures and minors away from beds. 

     Brace overhead light fixtures. 

     Secure water heater. Snap to wall studs. 

     Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations. 

     Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources. 

     Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans. 

     Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents. 

If You Need to Evacuate 

     Listen to a battery powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. Follow instructions
     of local officials. 

     Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes. 

     Take your Disaster Supplies Kit. 

     Lock your house. 

     Use travel routes specified by local officials. 

If you are sure you have time ... 

     Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do so. 

     Let others know when you left and where you are going. 

     Make arrangements for pets. Animals may not be allowed in public shelters. 

Prepare an Emergency Car Kit 

Include: 

     Battery powered radio and extra batteries 

     Flashlight and extra batteries 

     Blanket 

     Booster cables 

     Fire extinguisher (5 lb, A-B-C type) 

     First aid kit and manual 

     Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut
     butter. 

     Maps 

     Shovel 

     Tire repair kit and pump 

     Flares 

Fire Safety 

     Plan two escape routes out of each room. 

     Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire. 

     Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door
     with the palm of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Find another way out. 

     Install smoke detectors. Clean and test smoke detectors once a month. Change batteries at
     least once a year. 

     Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire. 

     Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets. 

     Purchase a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type). 

     Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house. 

     Consider installing home sprinklers.