At a glance
Keep a printed copy where household members can find it. A plan stored only on one phone may be unavailable when needed.
Agree on contacts and destinations
Choose how household members will contact each other and where they will meet if they cannot return home. Include someone outside the immediate area who can relay information. Review local alerts and evacuation information together.
Make room for the needs of children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets. Identify who will assist each person and what supplies or transport that assistance requires.
Keep supplies usable
Ready.gov recommends preparing supplies for household needs, including food, water and medicines, and keeping a bag ready for evacuation. Add lighting, charging options and copies of important documents to your own list.
Choose a storage location people can reach. Mark a review date on the inventory and check it after anything is used. Ask each household member to find the lights, contacts and evacuation bag without relying on the person who packed them.
Connect the household plan to the building
Record who to contact about the building’s electrical, water and access systems. Keep equipment instructions available and ask qualified professionals to explain any system the household is expected to operate.
Use the backup-power guide to list essential loads. If a room below ground is part of the plan, confirm that its use makes sense for the specific hazard. Follow evacuation instructions when they apply.
Your household checklist
Checks are temporary. Print a copy for your household records.
Household: ____________________ Next review: ____________________
