All You Need to Know About Developing a Disaster Plan

Valuable Information: What to do in cases of emergencies

Consider developing a disaster plan with your household members to prepare for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency. Print this page for quick reference and place it somewhere everyone knows.

  • Decide where your household will reunite after a disaster. Identify two places to meet: one right outside your home and another outside your neighborhood, such as a library, community center or place of worship.
  • Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of your second meeting place.
  • Know and practice all possible exit routes from your home and neighborhood.
  • Designate an out-of-state friend or relative that household members can call if separated during a disaster. If New York City phone circuits are busy, this out-of-state contact can be an important way of communicating between household members. When local phone circuits are busy, long-distance calls may be easier to make.
  • Account for everybody’s needs, especially seniors, people with disabilities and non-English speakers.
  • Practice your plan with all household members.
  • Ensure that household members have a copy of your household disaster plan to keep in their wallets and backpacks.

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