Make a plan- Canadian Red Cross

Make a plan



	Photo: Ruth Bonneville, Winnipeg Free Press

Now that you have discussed as a family why you need to prepare for disaster and the types of disasters that are most likely to happen, make a plan. Our free Expect the Unexpected Guide for parents contains tips for making a plan with your family. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Learn more about creating a plan for people with disabilities and/or special needs by visiting this page.

Evacuating your home

Determine the best ways to evacuate from inside your home in case of an emergency like a house fire. Establish a safe place for your family to meet. Include a plan for evacuating your pets.

Evacuating your community

In the event of a disaster, listen to local radio and television. If local officials ask you evacuate your neighbourhood, follow the routes and go to the location specified by officials. Do not take shortcuts as they could take you to a blocked or dangerous area. You may need to evacuate on a moment's notice and go to a nearby evacuation centre, such as a school gym or a community hall. Contact your local government's Emergency Management Office and ask the questions below.

What types of natural and technological disasters are most likely to happen?
How can I prepare for each?
What is our community’s emergency plan?
What is our community’s evacuation routes?
Where are emergency shelters located?
What plans are there for evacuated pets?

Out-of-town emergency contact

Plan for each family member to call or e-mail the same out of-town contact person in case of an emergency. Choose an out-of-town contact that lives far enough away that he or she will probably not be affected by the same event. Make sure that the designated person knows they are your family contact. Ensure that you and your family member carry the number.

Other Tips

For more information on how to help prepare your children for an emergency, download the Expect the Unexpected booklet for parents which offers more helpful tips.
Meet with your neighbours to plan how you could support each other until help arrives after a disaster. These are some excellent sources for information on neighbourhood disaster plans:

You Make the Difference – Support Canadians Affected by Disasters
From house fires to forest fires, hurricanes to floods, the Canadian Red Cross is there for more than 20,000 Canadians who are affected by disasters each year. Please donate to the Canadian Red Cross Fund.

Make a plan

Photo: Ruth Bonneville, Winnipeg Free Press

Posted January 11, 2010/Updated April 13, 2010