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PCOE Safety Video for Families

PCOE Safety Video for Families

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How to Prepare Ahead of Time for a Quick Evacuation from Your Home

How to Prepare Ahead of Time for a Quick Evacuation from Your Home

1. Sign up to receive emergency alerts 
    • Ensure everyone in your household is signed up; encourage others to do so as well. 
2. Develop the habit of keeping your keys, wallet/purse, and cell phone in the same consistent location so that that you don't waste time looking for them when you need to quickly evacuate. 
    • Encourage everyone in your household to do the same. 
3. Develop the habit of keeping at least a quarter tank of gas in your car at all times. 
    • Gas stations get crowded during evacuations. 
  • Cars get stranded on the road while idling during evacuations. 
4. Identify multiple evacuation driving routes from your home to major roadways. 
    • Your normal driving routes may be crowded, closed, or dangerous during evacuations. Be familiar with alternatives. 
5. Keep a pet carrier readily accessible. 
    • Whether for a dog, cat, rat or reptile, keep something readily accessible that your pet can stay in comfortably and reliably as you evacuate. Your pet may need to stay in this carrier at your next temporary destination. 
6. Keep your smart phone contacts up-to-date. 
    • Ensure family, friends, work, health care, insurance, etc. contacts are always up-to-date. 
  • Keep a cell phone charger in your car at all times. 
    • Memorize essential phone numbers (in case you can't access your phone). Consider printing a back-up copy. 
7. Plan where you may go if evacuated from your home. 
    • Hotels fill up quickly. 
    • You may need or want to get as far away as possible. 
    • Consider family or friends outside of the impacted area. Talk to them ahead of time. 
8. Plan what you will take (if there is time) and what you will take it in. 
    • Prescription pharmaceuticals. 
  • Important documents, photos, computer back-ups, etc. 
  • Clothing, shoes, toiletries (may be purchased later). 
    • Sleeping bags, pillows, blankets (may be purchased later). 
  • Food and water (may be purchased later).