Simple and convenient
preparations
Updated 21mar26
Power outages, fires, floods, earthquakes,
wind, and storms can interrupt utilities, phones, stores, ATMs, and
travel. You can be forced to leave your home because of flooding, sewage
backflow, fire, chemical accident, or terrorist threat. These things occur
when you are least prepared. This is an inexpensive common sense
preparation document. The large disaster relief organizations
can provide basic relief for a lot of people, but need a few days to get
set up. Wise people are prepared to handle problems on their own for a
week. Don't buy any survival kits or anything
you are not familiar with. After the power goes out is not the time to try
something out. Don't waste your money buying "special survival food". It
will probably get old before you need it. This is not a complete guide to
preparation; it is only to give you a starting place. Experience, training
and special equipment provides better preparation. And nothing is better
than common sense (which doesn't seem to be very common).
Notice
Copyright 2005-2026 Ken Young (http://www.DinoDudes.com).
All
rights
reserved.
This document may be freely redistributed for educational purposes at no
charge in unaltered form.
This information is for educational purposes only. There is no guarantee
of any kind that it is accurate, or that no harm will come to anyone who
uses it.
This information is provided on an "as is" basis with absolutely no
warranty or guarantee. The information is not necessarily correct,
complete, or suitable for any particular use. The entire risk is with
you. Should harm arise from using this information, you assume
responsibility for all damages and injuries. In no event shall the
copyright holder, or any other party, be liable for compensation or
damages arising from the use, misuse, failure to use, or inability to
use this information.
Prepare to evacuate
Living ready
Agree beforehand to call a certain relative in another city in case of
separation away from home. Remind everyone before going on vacation.
Agree beforehand on a certain neighbor's house to meet at if you can't
go into the house for any reason.
Make a quick-exit list of what to take so nothing is forgotten.
Include the probable locations of these items. Mark certain items as
essential (and put them at the top of the list) in case you have to
leave immediately with only what you can carry. List items together if
they are close to each other. Update the list annually. Tape the list to
the inside of a closet or cabinet door where you keep some of the stuff.
You must be able to get ready in 15 minutes; time how long it takes to
touch everything on the list. Getting it below 10 minutes is better; you
might not have a quarter-hour.
If evacuating is a possibility, get your stuff together ahead of time.
If the police or fire department knocks on your door and says to leave
in 5 minutes, they aren't kidding. They will only do that if you are in
immediate peril. Get out in 1 minute.
If the disaster affects the entire area, the national guard may
evacuate it afterward in order to provide better security. You may have
to evacuate after the obvious disaster has passed.
There are certain records, valuables, and heirlooms you do not want to
lose. List them and where they usually are. Update the list annually.
The valuables should all fit on one container, perhaps a special
briefcase or plastic box. Tape the list of valuables inside the lid. If
the time of need should ever come, dump the Christmas ornaments out of
the container, round up everything on the valuables list, and put them
in. You must be able to round everything up in 5 minutes; time how long
it takes to touch everything on the list. The time you spend rounding up
valuables counts against the 15-minute quick-exit.
Maintain a travel kit, everything you need to travel except clothes.
This is great for traveling, too. Put spare glasses in the travel kit so
your vacation won't be ruined. You can buy glasses over the Internet for
$7.
Keep a zip-kit
in your car. It is small, cheap, and is just enough to get you home.
Keep a 72-hour
kit in the trunk of your car in case you have to leave in a hurry,
or if you can't go home. It is small and affordable, but lets you get by
for a few days away from home. It is pretty handy to have this stuff in
your car for life's little emergencies.
Most people will face the emergency of jumping in their car to help a
friend or relative. Most of them start the trip by driving an hour in
the wrong direction and then spending half an hour packing. And they
forget essentials because they packed in a hurry. Keep a 72-hour kit in the trunk of your
car. Don't show up 3 hours late with half of what you need.
Maintain a camping kit, even if you don't camp. Camp once a year
whether you like it or not to stay ready.
Pets
Pets usually do better if you leave them behind. They only need saving
from fires and floods. If you bring them, they will find a way to escape
and get lost. If you leave them, they will be there when you return.
Put a "pet inside" sign up where you leave your pet.
Rescue workers must sometimes shoot pets to save their owners. They
hate it. Leave the pets behind.
Bringing pets can prevent you from receiving non-emergency
transportation. Your family could get stuck somewhere for a while if you
insist on bringing pets.
Many shelters cannot take pets. You will be sleeping in the car in the
cold with your pets walking all over you. To make room you will put your
possessions out in the rain.
Do not turn pets loose unless necessary; emergency vehicles hit them.
This kills the pet and disables the emergency vehicle. People will be
endangered by the loss of the emergency vehicle.
Many pet web sites say the animal has a higher chance of survival if
you bring it and care for it. This web site is about saving people and
says everyone is better off if you leave them (except in fires or
floods). You can't help people if you are helping animals. Bringing your
pet improves the pet's chances, but decreases the chances of your
spouse, children, and the people you might help. Decide what your
priorities are in advance.
When dropping off your pet or temporarily leaving them behind, make
sure they have their regular food and something that smells like you. If
the separation is extended, visit and play with them (it will help you
as much as them).
Get ID and credentials from anyone who wants to check on your pets.
Legitimate people will have membership ID for their organization. Others
may be making a list of unoccupied homes without dogs.
On the way out
When preparing to evacuate in a hurry, the first thing to do is turn
off the ringers on all the phones. The phones will ring non-stop when
everyone you know calls to make sure you are OK and talk about the
disaster. It will take several minutes to reassure each one that you are
OK and will be leaving soon. Except you won't because you are talking on
the phone instead. If not getting out in time is a possibility, the
phone will make not getting out in time possible.
If something is not where it is supposed to be, do not look for it. In
the stress of the minute it is too easy to spend all your time hunting
for one thing. Then you either do not get out in time because you got
hung up looking for something you do not need, or you don't bring
anything you need because you spent all the time looking for something
you don't. Whatever it is, you can get by without that one thing.
It is often possible to forward your home phone calls to your wireless
number, if you feel that is the best thing to do.
Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up
wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations.
Preserve cell phone battery life if you can't recharge. Establish
"on-air" times, and only turn the phone on to receive calls at those
times. Turn off background applications.
Be careful using navigation apps and GPS. Sometimes they can direct
you into the trouble.
Things to put on your quick-exit list
Do first reminder: Put the phones on silent and start ignoring them
until you are on the road.
Second reminder: If it is not where it is supposed to be, do not look
for it.
Money (cash, checks, credit cards, etc). This is essential.
Everyone's travel kit (probably essential)
3 days supplies for everyone's special needs (medicines, baby food,
feminine hygiene, etc). This may be essential.
A cell phone, charger, & phone numbers of everyone you know
(possibly essential). A car charger is best.
Boots, raingear and jackets (bring spare shoes if you are wearing the
boots). Disposable galoshes may work for you.
A suitcase or two full of clothes for 3 days, preferably with their
hangers
The box of valuables
IDs, passports, et cetera.
A list of things for the kids to get to make them feel helpful, to
give them things that will make them more comfortable until you return,
and also to keep them out of the way. Ideas include 3 toys each, color
crayons & paper, one game each, one favorite thing each, a small
treasure box each, etc.
Blankets or sleeping bags. Bring pillows if you have room.
The computer backups
Flashlights and lots of batteries
A toolbox
Bring a garden trowel, trash bags, and 3 days worth of toilet paper or
baby wipes. Baby wipes are better than toilet paper, and can be used for
cleaning other things.
A days worth of food that does not require cooking or refrigeration.
This can be bread and peanut butter.
Hand sanitizer
A bath towel & washcloth for everyone
3 wire coat hangers per person, best accomplished by bringing the
clothes with their hangars.
Spare shoes are nice, because you will probably step in mud or water
at some point.
Since you are going to ignore all advice to leave the pets behind,
bring pooper-scoopers to clean up after them until they escape.
This suggested quick-exit list is sorted
with the most important items on top in case you run out of time, and
assumes you are leaving in a car. Group items on the list according to
where they are to make them easier to round up. Do not bring stuff not on
the list, unless you are sure the house will be destroyed. The two big
mistakes are to bring too much stuff and to take too long getting out. Make a note at the bottom of the list:
Turn off the electricity (and possibly the gas) if you expect flooding.
Floodwater can short out wiring and burn your house down to the waterline. Assume that if you have to evacuate
because of the danger of fire, flood, or storm that your neighbors will
too. Assume you are evacuating to a place with food, shelter, and medical
care, but you may have to go without for a day or so. The traffic getting out will be stop &
go. The people who take too long to get ready will be stuck in it the
longest. If not getting out in time is a possibility, these are the ones
who won't make it.
While away
Get receipts for everything and keep them in a safe place. You may be
reimbursed for some of it by insurance, FEMA, or some other
organization. Photograph them if you have enough digital storage.
People may show up offering to check on your pets. If they have
appropriate ID they are legitimate. If not they may be looters who want
a list of unoccupied houses without big dogs guarding them.
Insurance scammers will show up. They want to get to you first. Only
talk to your insurance company.
Legitimate licensed contractors will be too busy to talk to you.
Scammers will come and find you.
Rentals could be hard to find, so scammers will post fake rental
listings. They will want you to send money or financial information
before seeing anything for a credit check or other bogus purpose. Others
will rent property they don't own; look for signs of occupation or
forced entry. Don't rent from someone you don't see in person.
Upon Return
Wait until the authorities say it is safe
Check the house and property before entering
Don't enter a building that looks crooked or out of plumb. A building
might still be safe to enter with cracks and large holes, but one that
isn't standing up straight can collapse on you without warning.
Check the entire property for obvious dangers like animals, propane
tanks, downed power lines, electrical sparks, floodwater, drugs,
weapons, smoldering fires, et cetera.
Sniff for gas leaks and check the gas meter to see if it is spinning.
Don't enter the building or turn anything electrical on or off if so.
Flipping a switch normally causes a small spark, which can ignite gas
and destroy your property.
If the gas is off, don't turn it on. Call the gas company. Air in the
pipes can turn them into pipe bombs.
If the propane is off, have the system checked out before you turn it
back on.
Don't turn on the electrical panel if you have wet shoes.
Don't let the kids enter until you have determined it is safe.
Forcing a jammed door in a damaged structure may move what was holding
something up. Examine the situation carefully and determine why the door
is jammed.
It's best to inspect wearing protective clothing, gloves, steel toed
boots, goggles, and a respirator (a dust mask with two strings). If you
don't expect trouble, at least wear shoes, gloves, long sleeves, and
long pants. Even if it is hot.
Don't walk on sagging flooring.
If an appliance is affected, unplug it and inspect it later.
Get receipts for everything and keep them in a safe place. Scan all
receipts. You may be reimbursed for some of it by insurance, FEMA, or
some other organization.