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When preparing for a disaster, always:

• Talk with your family.
• Learn how and when to turn off utilities and how to use life-saving tools such as fire extinguishers.

• Tell everyone where emergency information and supplies are stored. Provide copies of the family's preparedness plan to each member of the family. Always ensure that information is up-to-date and practice evacuations, following the routes outlined in your plan. Don't forget to identify alternative routes.
• Include pets in your evacuation plans.

As an element of your preparedness plan, choose an out-of-area contact for all family members to call in case of an emergency. Include the contact on your Emergency Contact Card. Your contact should live far enough away that he or she will not be affected by the disaster. You should also:

Predetermine meeting places to save time and minimize confusion.

Select two meeting places:

1. Right outside your home; e.g., in cases such as a home fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood or town, when you cannot return home or you must evacuate.