🏠 Your Family Disaster Plan

Disasters can happen quickly and without warning — forcing you to evacuate your neighborhood or shelter in place without power, water, gas, or phone service.

While local emergency personnel and relief agencies will respond as quickly as possible, they may not be able to reach everyone right away. That’s why having a Family Disaster Plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your household.

✅ 4 Steps to Safety

Step 1: Know Your Risks

Start by contacting:

• South Orange Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
• American Red Cross – Northern NJ Chapter

Ask:

• What types of disasters are most likely here? (Floods, winter storms, power outages, etc.)
• What are the community’s warning signals and how should I respond?
• How are pets handled during emergencies?
• How can I help elderly or disabled neighbors?
• What are the emergency procedures at your workplace, your child’s school or daycare, and other places your family spends time?

Step 2: Create a Family Disaster Plan

• Hold a family meeting to talk about why you need to prepare.
• Discuss each type of disaster (fire, flood, winter storm, etc.) and what to do in each case.

Choose two meeting places:

1. Right outside your home (e.g., front yard or driveway)
2. Outside your neighborhood (e.g., friend’s house, library, or house of worship)

• Pick an out-of-state emergency contact. In many cases, it’s easier to call long distance after a major event. All family members should know this person’s number.
• Plan for evacuation, including how to transport and care for pets.

Step 3: Complete This Checklist

• 📞 Post emergency numbers (Police, Fire, EMS, Poison Control) by every phone.
• 👶 Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1.
• 💡 Show everyone how to shut off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
• 📄 Review your insurance coverage, especially regarding flood damage.
• 🔥 Teach everyone how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and where it's located.
• 🧯 Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
• 🧭 Identify two escape routes from every room.
• 🛠️ Conduct a home hazard hunt — fix potential dangers.
• 🎒 Build a Disaster Supplies Kit (food, water, flashlight, radio, meds, etc.)
• 🩹 Take a First Aid & CPR class through the Red Cross or local training provider.
• 🧍‍♂️ Find the safest spots in your home for different emergencies (interior rooms, higher ground, etc.)

Step 4: Practice and Maintain Your Plan

• 🧠 Quiz your children every 6 months to keep the plan fresh.
• 🚪 Practice evacuation and fire drills regularly.
• 💧 Replace stored water every 3 months and food every 6 months.
• 🔥 Test your fire extinguishers and follow manufacturer maintenance instructions.
• 🔔 Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year — when you change your clocks in spring and fall.