A family evacuation plan means everyone knows where to go and how to reconnect when it matters most.
Prepare
Choose two meeting places: one near your home (e.g., a neighbor's driveway) for sudden emergencies like a fire; one outside your neighborhood for larger disasters.
Designate an out-of-area contact that everyone in your household can call or text to relay their location and status.
Write down all critical phone numbers — do not rely on memory or phone battery in an emergency.
Plan two exit routes from every room — especially bedrooms for fire scenarios.
Know the evacuation routes for your city — your local emergency management office publishes these.
Practice your plan with all household members at least once a year.
Prevent
Keep your 72-hour kit ready (see that scenario) so grabbing it takes seconds, not minutes.
Store important documents in a fireproof, waterproof box or keep scanned copies in cloud storage.
Know in advance which pet-friendly shelters or hotels are on your likely evacuation route.
Respond
Stay calm and act quickly — hesitation in fast-moving emergencies (fire, gas leak) is dangerous.
Alert everyone in the household and proceed to the nearest safe exit.
If smoke is present: stay low where air is cleaner. Feel doors before opening — if hot, use the other exit.
Go to your near meeting place — do not re-enter for belongings.
Call or text your out-of-area contact to report your status.
If instructed by authorities: follow the designated evacuation route to the regional meeting point or shelter.
Do not return home until authorities declare it safe.