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Consider developing a disaster plan with your household members to prepare or what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency. Utilize the Emergency Reference Card for this purpose. Make photocopies if necessary.

  • Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one right outside your home and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center or place of worship.
  • Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of your second meeting place.
  • Know and practice all possible exit routes from your home and neighborhood.
  • Designate an out-of-state friend or relative that household members can call if separated during a disaster. If phone circuits are busy, this out-of-state contact can be an important way of communicating between household members. When local phone circuits are busy, long-distance calls may be easier to make.
  • Account for everybody's needs, especially seniors, people with disabilities and non-English speakers.
  • Practice your plan with all household members.
  • Ensure that household members have a copy of your household disaster plan to keep in their wallets and backpacks.