An unexpected disruption can have severe consequences for businesses, municipalities, and schools, as we have seen with COVID-19. Occasionally, we forget that our homelife works in the same way. There are schedules, deadlines, even hours of operation. For the time being, we are spending more time at home, this is our opportunity to prepare an emergency plan for our home. (If you did not have one already) Here are 10 initial steps to take, when creating your home’s emergency plan.

  1. Learn the threats in your area – Every neighborhood has unique threats. One neighborhood may have hazardous material storage, another may have a lot of brush that could fuel a fire. Think about what a threat may be where you live.
  2. Identify meeting places outside of the home – If there is a disruption and our home is at risk, have a place where all know to go when home is not safe.
  3. Select an out of state contact – A local disruption may sever local communications. By having an out of state contact, everyone in your home knows to contact them so they can provide information to the people you are unable to contact.
  4. Prepare multiple evacuation routes out of your home – One route may be not be available for use during an emergency. Having multiple evacuation routes increases your family’s safety.
  5. Know where all your utility shut-offs are located – Understanding where and how to disconnect utilities (water, gas, electric) improves family and property safety.
  6. Thoroughly understand emergency policies of schools and adult care facilities – Incorporate these emergency policies into your home’s plan.
  7. Identify the safe spots in each room to take cover – One may not be able to evacuate the home during an emergency. Knowing the safest place in each room may be the only option.
  8. Extra Medications – Save any surplus medications. They may lose potency over time, but it is better to have some than none.
  9. Make special provisions for children, seniors, pets etc. – When creating a preparedness plan for your home, take time to create specific outlines for those that may need support.
  10. Schedule an annual disaster drill – Practice can only help!