Family Contact Cards

Important emergency planning information for your family.

Important emergency planning information for your family.

Important emergency planning information for your family.

Important emergency planning information for your family.

Evacuating Yourself and Your Family

Evacuations are more common than most people realize. Fires and floods cause evacuations most frequently and almost every year, people along coastlines evacuate as hurricanes approach. In addition, hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances forcing many to leave their homes.

When community evacuations are necessary, local officials provide information through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods are used, such as sirens, text alerts, emails or telephone calls. The amount of time you have to leave depends on the hazard. If the event is weather related, such as a hurricane, you may have a day or two. Many disasters, however, allow no time for people to gather even the most basic needs. This is why planning ahead is essential.

Evacuation Guidelines from Ready.gov

Whether the circumstances are voluntary or mandatory, there may come a time when you need to evacuate. Follow these guidelines:

1. Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Use the Family Emergency Plan to decide these locations before a disaster.
2. If you have a car, keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times on a regular basis in case of an unexpected emergency. Gas stations may be closed or unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion on the roadways and delays.
3. Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency.
4. Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
5. Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts, they may be blocked.
6. Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.
7. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave. Make arrangements with family, friends, neighbors or your local government.
8. Take your 72-hour kit with you.
9. Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
10. Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.

If time allows:

1. Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
2. Secure your home by closing and locking all doors and windows.
3. Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions, computers, printers and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
4. Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
5. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a cap.
6. Check with neighbors who may need a ride or help evacuating.

Family Communication Tips

Identify a contact such as a friend or relative who lives out-of-state for household members to notify they are safe. It may be easier or make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get ahold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friend that you have them listed as your emergency contact.

Teach family members how to use text messaging (also known as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.

Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or emails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc.

Follow Be Ready Utah on

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BeReadyUtah

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bereadyutah

Be Ready Utah blog:  http://bereadyutah.blogspot.com/

Be Ready Utah YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/bereadyutah

Utah Shakeout on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/UtahShakeOut

Utah Shakeout on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/utahshakeout

For more information about staying informed on Utah’s vast and varying terrain, visit: http://www.utah.gov/beready/family/be-informed.html

Utah Department of Public Safety
Division of Homeland Security
1110 State Office Building
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 538-3400
(800) 753-2858
Be Ready Utah
http://publicsafety.utah.gov

Family Communications

Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another. Consider communication needs in different situations.

Complete a contact card for each adult member in your family. Have them keep these cards in their wallet or purse. Contact cards should also be completed for each child in your family. Put their cards in their backpack or book bag.

Check with your children’s day care or school. These facilities should include identification planning as part of their emergency plans.

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