INTRODUCTION

The Family Emergency Plan is a useful tool that can assist householders and family
members in advance planning exercises. It forms a part of any preparedness strategy
and as a result may go a long way in preserving human life, limb and property before,
during and after a hazard impact.

PLANNING OR PREPARATION
Being educated about disasters and how they affect youth and adults, developing a
plan, practicing the implementation of the plan in authentic and organized ways, and
ensuring you have the supplies to support your family in the event of an emergency is a
crucial part of disaster preparedness for families.
Regardless of the emergency situation or hazard anticipated,
one of the best things you can do is to make a plan and prepare
your family beforehand
The Right Equipment for a Home Fire Emergency
 Don’t just prepare yourself and your family members for a home fire. Prepare
your home too. Make sure you have working fire extinguishers and consider
upgrading your home’s fire protection by adding improvements such as an
internal sprinkler system.

Have a House Fire Evacuation Plan

 Despite your best prevention efforts, a house fire may still occur. At the first sign
of smoke or fire, you must act quickly and calmly because you may have little
time to gather your family members and safely evacuate your home. Fires can
spread quickly, especially at night while you are sleeping, and because a closed
bedroom door can conceal smoke and heat, you may only have seconds to react
by the time you notice the fire. By planning and practicing your escape plan, you
can increase your family’s preparedness, enabling them to react more quickly
and safely in the event of a fire.

Plan Two Ways Out of Every Room

 If fire or smoke blocks your primary exit, you will need a second way out. If you
live in a two-story house, consider whether you will escape through a window,
roof or balcony, and if you need a portable fire escape ladder. Evaluate each
escape route for ease of access.

Establish a Meeting Place Outside

 Choose one location where everyone will meet after escaping so you can quickly
account for each household member. Immediately notify firefighters if someone
is missing. Select a meeting place away from the house, preferably in the front
yard near where firefighters will arrive.

Know Your Emergency Number

 Teach everyone in your home how and when to use 911. Instruct children that
911 is the only number they should call when there is an emergency.
Emergencies that require 911 include, but are not limited to:

 Medical emergencies
 Car accidents with life threatening injuries
 Burglary or suspicious activity
 House fires

Practice, Practice, Practice

 Practicing your home fire evacuation plan can help your family feel more
confident if a house fire occurs.

Put It in Writing
 Put your escape plan in writing and share it with everyone who stays in your
home. Draw a floor plan and mark primary and alternate escape routes from
each room of your house.
 Show the meeting location outside your home.
 Post the floor plan near your phone where babysitters, visitors and overnight
guests can see it.

Help Firefighters Find You

 Help firefighters locate your home quickly in an emergency. Make sure your
house number is clearly displayed and visible from the street.

Take Care of Children

 Fire injuries and deaths among children often occur because they become
frightened and try to hide from the blaze. Preparation and education are keys to
preventing such tragedies. A prepared child is more likely to escape unharmed.
Talk to children about what to expect if a fire occurs and practice the home fire
escape plan with any child who stays at your house.
Families may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in
advance: how they will contact one another; how they will get back together; and what
they might do in different situations. (SAY IT ON THE VIDEO)
Preparing your family with safe escape routes and instructions can be a lifesaver in the
case of an emergency. And if a fire strikes in your home, you won't have much time to
react. Smoke inhalation can overwhelm a child or adult in less than two minutes. Be
prepared by making a fire evacuation plan with your family so everyone makes it out of
the house quickly and safely. (VIDEO)

DO’S AND DONT’S

THINGS NEEDED IN EMERGENCY (GO BAG KIT)
 Water
 Food
 First Aid Kit
 Non-prescription Drugs
 Tools and Supplies
 Sanitation Products
 Clothing and Bedding
 Special Items
 Important Documents
Maintaining Your Kit
Emergency kit maintenance involves four simple steps:
Store your kit in a cool, dry place that’s out of direct sunlight.
 The timelines in this article are based on following this guideline. Heat, moisture
and UV rays can all reduce the shelf life of perishable items in your kit.
Do a six-month check:
 Set up a calendar reminder for every six months. When that time arrives, check
and replenish all expired food, water, medicines and other perishable supplies;
also replace items that will expire within the next six months.
Do a more thorough yearly check:
 Reassess what’s in your kit and your emergency plan; update as needed to
address changing family needs. Inspect all your gear to be sure everything is in
working order.
Take care of your kit as needed:
 If you ever take items out of your kit for any reason, promptly replace those
supplies afterward—replace bandages taken out of a first-aid kit, for example.

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a fire or other disaster
occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you
have to evacuate. Plan to be away from your home for an extended period
of time. Each person should have a readily accessible emergency supply
kit. Backpacks work great for storing these items (except food and water)
and are quick to grab. Storing food and water in a tub or chest on wheels
will make it easier to transport. Keep it light enough to be able to lift it into
your car. Ensure you plan with COVID-19 in mind. (VIDEO)
PREVENTION OF THE SITUATION
A fire can happen anywhere and it’s important to always be prepared for what you
would do if you had one in your home. Likewise, it’s just as important to look at all of the
ways that you can prevent one from happening in the first place. You want to know how
to prevent fire in your home to protect it and the ones you love. Of course, there are the
more obvious things that you can buy to protect your home against fire, such as smoke
alarms, fire extinguishers, having an escape plan, and even fireproof safe deposit boxes
to protect your valuables. The truth is, however, there are some very simple steps that
you could be doing to keep yourself safer and, if you start right now, you may be able to
prevent a problem before it even happens. (VIDEO)

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