Family Emergency Checklist

Before the Storm:

• Learn your community's evacuation routes and nearest evacuation shelters.
• Make plans for special assistance for elderly and disabled persons and pets.
• Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center.
• Meet with household members and discuss how to respond to a pending disaster.
• Discuss what to do about power outages or personal injury.
• Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.
• Post emergency numbers near telephones.
• 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.)
• Pick two meeting places: A place near home in case of fire, and a place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
• Take a basic first-aid or CPR class.
• Keep family records and insurance policies in a water and fire-proof container.
• Prepare a disaster supplies emergency kit, with enough nonperishable food and water for at least two weeks (one gallon per person per day). Make sure emergency equipment, such as flashlights and radios, have working batteries, with extra batteries on hand.
• Prepare a smaller version of your disaster supplies emergency kit for your car.
• Make sure your car is in good working condition, and that you have a full tank of gas.
• Obtain materials, such as plastic and plywood, necessary to properly secure your home.
• Trim trees and shrubbery, cutting weak branches and trees that could fall on, or bump against your home.
• Secure items that might blow away or be torn loose, such as garbage cans, signs and patio furniture.
• Check prescription medications and make sure you have at least a 10- to 14-day supply.
• Have on hand an extra supply of traveler's checks to use as cash. If lost or stolen, the traveler's checks can be replaced, unlike cash.

During the Storm:

• Listen to your radio for the latest emergency procedures or evacuations.
• Remain indoors until officials announce an "all clear."
• Stay away from doors and windows. Designate a "safe room" that is windowless and is centrally located.
• Store mattresses or seat cushions in the "safe room" for added protection from flying debris.
• Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do so.
• If your home begins to flood, move to a second floor or attic. if necessary, use an axe to cut a hole in the roof for an emergency exit.

If You Need to Evacuate:

• Leave immediately. Time is of the utmost importance.
• Take your disaster supplies kit and your personal papers/insurance policies.
• Shut off water, gas and electricity, if instructed to do so.
• Let others know when you left and where you are going.
• Lock your house.
• Use travel routes specified by local officials.

After the Storm:

• Don't touch loose or dangling wires.
• Do not turn on lights or appliances if home is flooded, until an electrician inspects your property.
• Don't drink the tap water until given an "all clear" by officials.
• Notify your relatives of your safety and whereabouts.

Tips for Filing an Insurance Claim:

• Before a storm, complete a personal property inventory. It serves as a valuable record of your possessions and their approximate replacement value.
• Photograph or videotape your property and your belongings.
• Keep your personal property inventory, photographs and videotapes together with your insurance policies in a fire and water-proof container. Take this container with you if you evacuate.
• Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible after a disaster. Your agent will assign an adjuster who will be in contact with you.
• Take steps to minimize and prevent further damage to your property. Any partially damaged items should be cleaned and dried; the adjuster will make recommendations as to repair or disposal.
• Cover broken windows, and holes in the roof or walls to prevent further damage.
• Prepare a list of all damaged items. Include on this list the age and replacement value of each item (you should already have this information in your personal property inventory). Give this list to your insurance adjuster.

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