How to Create an Emergency Action Plan

Responsible homeownership means being prepared for the unexpected, such as natural disasters, fires, or other safety hazards. By planning for these situations, you’ll stay one step ahead of emergencies that may arise. Here’s a quick guide to help you start planning.

1

Consider everyone’s specific needs

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3

Confirm everyone is set up for safety

Needs will vary based on age, disabilities, and other factors. Discuss how you will help one another with things like:

Dietary requirements
Operation of medical equipment
Prescriptions
Functional equipment and mobility devices
Support for school-aged children
Languages, cultural, and religious considerations
Pets or service animals

Next step

Here are a few next steps for you and the rest of your household to take together:

Sign up for emergency alerts and warnings to get notified of a natural disaster.
Find your nearest shelter, and plan how to get there and where to meet if you are separated.
Confirm your local evacuation route so you know what to do if you must leave quickly.
Determine your communication plan — will you text or call? Does everyone have all relevant phone numbers and addresses?
Build your emergency preparedness kit so you can grab it and go without wasting time.

Needs will vary based on age, disabilities, and other factors. Discuss how you will help one another with things like:

Dietary requirements
Operation of medical equipment
Prescriptions
Functional equipment and mobility devices
Support for school-aged children
Languages, cultural, and religious considerations
Pets or service animals

Next step

You may not be together when disaster strikes, so it’s important to be on the same page about how you will reconnect. Here’s a ready-to-go form from Ready.gov that you can fill out online, email to everyone in your household, and print to have at the ready.

Homeowner tip

Run through your plan with everyone in your household.

Next step

Here are a few next steps for you and the rest of your household to take together:

Sign up for emergency alerts and warnings to get notified of a natural disaster.
Find your nearest shelter, and plan how to get there and where to meet if you are separated.
Confirm your local evacuation route so you know what to do if you must leave quickly.
Determine your communication plan — will you text or call? Does everyone have all relevant phone numbers and addresses?
Build your emergency preparedness kit so you can grab it and go without wasting time.