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Home > Home and Family: Getting Started

Home and Family: Getting Started

Planning starts with talking.

The best things in life are free...

Like being ready as a family for any emergency. Here are some simple steps to get you started. And they are absolutely free.

  • Talk about what might happen: blizzard, fire, flooding, etc.
  • How would you find out about it?
  • Do you know how to contact each other? (See Communications Plan)
  • What would you need if you couldn't get out for a few days?
  • What are the most important things to take with you if you had to leave your home? If you go to a shelter, you may need pillows, blankets, and snacks to eat until the shelter is fully functioning. Think about financial papers, check books, credit cards, etc.
  • Plan together about the special needs of your children and others in your family.
  • Is there a blanket or special toy loved by a child?
  • Is there a member of your family who requires special accommodations?
  • Plan for your pets as well. They are a part of your family too.

Low Cost, High Value

Once you have talked through how you would deal with an emergency as a family, there may be a few things that you don't have on hand, that you want to pick up.

  • Flashlights or a battery radio if you don't have one
  • Fresh batteries for your flashlights and radio
  • Non-perishable food for your home supply kit, or "Go kit" (what's on sale this week?)
  • A little extra pet food or litter, to make sure you have enough on hand.

Use our Weekly Reminder Calendar to begin making small purchases that can help out a lot. You're on your way!

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