Jim Buchanan, High Councilor, Disaster Preparedness Specialist

Having a home escape and evacuation plan will save lives should we experience an emergency or disaster. Here are some simple considerations as you develop your escape plan.

As part of your escape plan, consider:

• Consider needs of children and physically challenged individuals.  Predesignate who is to help them in an emergency.
• Develop escape plan that provides routes from every room and from every level of your home or apartment.
• Plan on how your family will stay in contact, if separated. Predesignate who will be accounting the household members.
  • Designate two meeting places:
    • A location a safe distance from your home in case of fire/explosion.    
    • A place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
    • Chose an out of state contact as a check-in contact for everyone to call if call/text service is available. Be sure to ensure that this contact is aware that they may be used.
• Predetermine who will shut off electricity, water, and fuel sources, if it is necessary and CAN BE DONE SAFELY and if you have the proper tools.
  • Locate these shutoffs and teach how to do the shut off, safely. If you do not feel comfortable, leave on. Again, check off actions must be done SAFELY.
• Predetermine who will take the 72-hour kit from the home, when and if you need to evacuate.
• Inform all family members of the plan and review with visitors or out of the area family members who may be staying.
• RUN PRACTICE DRILLS:  ensure that everyone is home.  If members are away, be sure that they receive the training.  Do day and night drills and in all the various seasons.
• Prepare and keep updated a list of responsibilities for each family member.
• Draw out the escape routes from all levels of the home or apartment.