Being told to evacuate your home can be scary and it often is done on very short notice. If you are ever told to evacuate your home, you want to make sure you are properly prepared for what will come next. Below, we will go over some of the things you can do to prepare for an emergency evacuation to not only be prepared but to lower your stress levels.
Plan NOW for What Might Happen Later
You never know when an emergency evacuation may be ordered so it is crucial that you prepare now for what could happen later on down the road. Trust us, you will be saving yourself a ton of time and energy this way.
For starters, plan out an emergency evacuation route that you will take and make sure there is a copy in an easily accessible place for the occupants in the home. You should create a safe zone where all family members will meet.
Lastly, have a list of emergency names and numbers handy for everyone in case anyone does become lost or needs help.
Know What You Will Need to Take With You
Packing up a to-go bag and having it ready for you to take will cut down on the time it takes you to evacuate and will alleviate any stress that you may experience from trying to rush around and figure out what you need to take with you.
Below, you will find some of the best items to put in your to-go bag:
- Comfort items for any children or a comfort blanket
- First aid kit
- Water bottles
- Medication (both prescription and over the counter)
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Change of clothes
- Any special equipment needed for breathing, sleeping, etc.
- Pet food and medicine, if applicable
Get Your Important Documents Ready
You do not want to lose all of your important documents during an emergency evacuation and you will likely need some of these documents as you do evacuate, so it is important to gather them now, so you know what you have and what you need to get copies of.
Below, you will find some of the important documents you should bring with you:
- Employment information
- Phone numbers and addresses of relatives
- Prescriptions
- Passports
- Driver’s license
- Social security card
- Marriage license
- Birth certificate
- Insurance paperwork
- Wills
- Deeds
- Tax return from the most recent year
- Financial information
Get Prepared NOW!
You do not want to find yourself in a situation where an emergency evacuation is ordered, and you are not ready to go. The above items can help you get started on what to do and what to bring with you. It is always a good idea to have a bag packed with the items in case you need to grab it and go. When it comes to your documents, originals are the best, but copies will work too. The important thing here is that you do not want to leave behind anything that you may need, as you may be in need of housing or government assistance throughout the evacuation. Remember, prepare now and you will be ready.