EVACUATION CHECKLIST

• Cash, checkbook, credit cards

• homeowners Insurance information

• Photographic record of house contents.  Inventory list

• Family treasures and artwork

• Stock, bonds, irreplaceable assets, safety deposit keys, Social Security Cards, passports

• Computer or disk backups

• Cell phone and charger.  Forward home phone to cell phone.

• Phone numbers of friends, relatives, and neighbors

• Snacks, energy bars, water bottles

• Prescriptions, medications, and medical records

• Pet food, water, meds and photos

• Use a temporary paint stick and write your cell phone number on your pets

• Battery operated radio, flashlights, camera

• Hotel/motel directory, roadmap

IF EVACUATION IS A POSSIBILITY

 

	Fill your gas tank if less than half full and you have the time.
	Locate your EVACUATION CHECK LIST and assemble the items on it.center  PLACE THEM IN YOUR VEHICLE.
	Park your vehicle facing outward and leave the car keys in the ignition.
	Detach electrical garage doors in case of a power failure.
	Secure pets and prepare them to be transported.
	Place a ladder outside for roof access.
	Remove combustible materials from the area surrounding your house (lawn chairs, tables, etc).
	Attach garden hoses to exterior faucets and place buckets full of water around the house.
	Turn on a local TV or radio station (AM600) to get latest emergency information.
	Assemble fire fighting tools outside (shovel, rake, hoe, etc).
	Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
	Assemble proper clothing.  Long pants, long sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, cap, dry bandanna for face cover, goggles or glasses.center  100% cotton clothing preferable.
	Leave the electricity on and lights on in the house.center  Turn a light on in each room for visibility in case of smoke.center  Turn on porch and yard lights.
	Disable automatic lawn sprinklers.
	Put bolt cutters and a saw in your trunk should you need them to clear an escape route.
	Make sign for front window, which says, EVACUATED.center  Post upon leaving.
	Close all windows.  Close non-flammable window coverings and open flammable draperies/curtains.
	Move upholstered furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors.
	Turn off heating/air conditioner.
	Be ready to evacuate all family members and pets when requested to do so.
	Stay home from work.
	Pack clothing for 4 days.

 

  

DON’T FORGET YOUR PETS

 
No one can be productive in a disaster if they have not insured the safety of family and pets.  Planning and practice are key.

 
Take your pets with you!  If it is not safe for YOU to stay, it is worse for your pets.center  They are helpless without you.

 
Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate!

 
Pets may react unpredictably to change and the chaos created by the emergency.center  They may become stressed.  Keep pets safely confined as they may bolt away from you.

 
Have a pet carrier and leash readily accessible.

 
Prepare an emergency contact list of veterinarians.

 
Be sure your pets are properly identified with collar tags and, ideally, with microchips.

 
Assemble an emergency kit in a waterproof bag.center  Include pet food, bottled water, medications, vaccination records, and a photo of your pet.  Be prepared to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.

 
Store photographs and identification on your personal Internet web site for easy access from anywhere.

 
If you do not have a tag on your animal with identification, purchase a temporary paint stick to write your cell number directly on your animal in case you get separated.