Emergency Survival & Evacuation Planning

If you own a car, keep it full of gasoline.

If you don't own a car, do you know where buses will leave from? Find out.

Figure out ahead of time where you'll be going. If need be, get maps.

Years ago I loved to travel on the weekends, so I always had the trunk of my car packed and ready to go. There, I had a tent, sleeping bags, an ice chest, clothing, first aid kit, tools, and everything else I might need. As you can imagine, this would make a sudden evacuation very easy to accomplish.

Too many people are unprepared for evacuation. They may wake up in the middle of the night with an officer at the door giving them only a few minutes to get out. They are directed to evacuation centers where they get help if they are without adequate supplies. If you value your privacy, you do NOT want to go there!

It is much better to be prepared. Even though I no longer pack the trunk of my car, I have a sturdy backpack (you could use a suitcase) full of vital necessities including what I call an 'emergency food supply' consisting of snacks like salted peanuts and energy bars.

Here's an idea for something you can make ahead of time, that will help you whether you're at home or off in the boonies with only a few supplies, and no home to go back to.

What to include:

Addresses and telephone numbers - include family, friends, schools, banks, insurance, and whatever else you may need.

Financial Records - this will include your personal and/or business bank account information, checks, credit cards, tax returns, and whatever else fits in your particular case. Be sure to record all important account numbers for each bill you regularly pay, insurance, banks, etc.

Inventory - make an inventory of your property. Include serial numbers, locations, brands, make and model numbers, etc.

Gather all this information together ahead of time. If you're forced to evacuate, grab the binder on the way out the door. And if you never have to evacuate, lucky you! You'll have a well-organized binder with all this essential information.

Here are some things you will find useful, so pack them now:

1. Clothing - natural fibers (wool or cotton)

2. Toiletries

3. Eyeglasses/sunglasses

4. Medications (in original containers)

5. First aid kit

6. Sleeping bags

7. Pillows

8. Communication equipment such as a radio and cell phone

9. Your valuables such as photos, jewelry, or whatever else you own that means a lot to you

10. Your information binder - see instructions above

You can buy this backpack from OutInStyle.Com

Yes, food and water are essential. Here are a few items I recommend:

1. Bottled water - as much as you can take

2. Water purifier

3. Energy bars

4. Nuts

5. Dried fruit

6. Canned fruit, veggies, etc.

7. Organic dark chocolate (essential for fighting off depression, especially for women!)

Your pets will be safer with you than if they are left at home. Be ready to take them. Here's what you'll need:

1. Pet carriers

2. Pet food

3. Bottled Water

4. Leashes

5. Collars or Harnesses - I found that a small-dog harness was perfect for my cat in this situation.

When you leave, put a note on your door stating what day and time you evacuated, who told you to go, and where you might be located. Leave your cell phone number if you have one, and if not, an emergency contact person's phone number.

If anyone who lives in the home was unaccounted for, leave their name and where they might be found. You can also mention any pets you couldn't find to take with you.

With this note leave a list of potential hazards such as fuel tanks.

Leave the door unlocked if there might be rescue workers needing shelter.

Turn off the gas.

Keep your electricity on, and leave the outdoor lights on.

If there's a forest fire, place a sprinkler on your roof, but don't turn it on. Connect all hoses to outdoor spigots. This will help firefighters when they arrive to defend your home.

Close all windows and shutters, and remove flammable curtains if there's threat of a fire.

This page created by Linda Jo Martin of: