January: Evacuating Part 1 (Family Plan and 120 hour kits)

Welcome to January 2011!  The beginning of "Be Prepared in 2011!"  I hope that you are as excited as I am to get all your preparedness gear organized this year.

This month we will be working on preparing to evacuate your home in case of an emergency.  Here are some ideas of things to do:

• Organize a family plan.  
• Create a family plan.
• Determine an out of state contact.
• Make sure every family member has out of state contact's phone number and other family member's contact information.
• Determine what you will do if you are at home without a car
• Visit ready.gov for more information
• Create a 120 hour kit
• Include food, water, warmth, light, contact information, first aid kit, money...
• Consider kit size and portability.
• Because my children are small, I just have one kit for the whole family in a rolling suitcase.
• Visit ready.gov for more information
• Make a list of things to do prior to evacuating (if time allows), and place on your 120 hour kit.  Ideas:
• Bring:  (tent, sleeping bags, more water, etc.)
• Shut off gas, electricity, and water, if necessary
• Call or email out of state contact
• Leave a note stating where you are going
• Check with neighbors who may need a ride
• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing

Can you think of anything else you should do to prepare to evacuate from home?  What have you, or will you do, to prepare?  You may email me  pictures or comments, if you prefer.  (Please note that these may be put on this blog.)