I. PREPARATION
Family Meetings
At least once a year, have a meeting with your family to discuss and update your disaster 
plan. Determine what additional training, equipment, and supplies are needed. Practice! 
Occasional drills can improve reaction time  and help to avoid panic in an actual 
emergency.

A. Know How and Where to Shut off Utilities.
Location of Main Electrical Circuit Breaker: _________________________________________
Location of Main Water Valve: ____________________________________________________
Location of Gas Valve*: _________________________________________________________
Location of Wrench: ____________________________________________________________
Location of Manual Garage Door Override: __________________________________________
Location of Other Utilities: _______________________________________________________
* Do not shut off gas unless you suspect a leak exists.

B. On a separate sheet of paper, draw a floor plan of your home showing the location of exit 
doors and windows, utility shutoffs, first aid kit, and emergency supplies. Ensure EVERYONE 
in your household is familiar with it. Show it to babysitters and house guests when you're 
going away.

C. Reunion locations. Establish two places where you and your family can meet following an 
emergency. One immediately outside of your home, e.g. a neighbor’s mailbox, for use during a 
home emergency AND another site away from home in case you can’t return.
Home Location: _________________________________________________________________
Away from Home Location: _______________________________________________________

D. Out of Area Contact: Name and telephone number of person outside your local area for 
family members to call to report their location and condition. Everyone should memorize this 
number!
Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Location: ___________________________________ Phone: (________) ___________________

E. What is your child’s school disaster policy? In the event of an emergency, will they keep 
your child until you, or an authorized adult, can pick them up?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Are medical consent forms for your children complete and current? __________________________
Where are they located? __________________________________________________________

F. Where are emergency supplies and equipment located?
Portable radio: _________________________________________________________________
Flashlight/batteries: _____________________________________________________________
Water: _______________________________________________________________________
Food: ________________________________________________________________________
Sanitation supplies: _____________________________________________________________
Fire extinguisher: _______________________________________________________________
Tools: ________________________________________________________________________
Blankets: _____________________________________________________________________
Cooking equipment: ____________________________________________________________
First Aid Kit: _________________________________________________________________
Prescription glasses: ____________________________________________________________
Medications: __________________________________________________________________
Complete set of clothes for each family member: _____________________________________

II. TRAINING
A. Learn how to protect yourself from falling objects, smoke, fire, toxic fumes, etc.
B. Learn First Aid/CPR
Person(s) Trained:
Name: _________________________________________ Date Training Expires: _____________________
Name: _________________________________________ Date Training Expires: _____________________
Name: _________________________________________ Date Training Expires: _____________________

III. BEFORE A DISASTER
There are many different kinds of disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, airplane 
crashes, chemical spills, pipeline leaks and explosions, which seldom give warning and can be 
equally devastating to their victims. This guide is primarily geared to earthquakes, but the 
planning you and your family does now will be of benefit for any type of disaster that can 
strike your community.
A. Inspect your home. Identify potential hazards and evacuation routes.
B. Secure water heater and tall or heavy furniture to wall studs.
C. Move heavy items to lower shelves.
D. Install clips, latches and other locking devices on cabinet doors.
E. Provide strong support and flexible connections on gas appliances.
F. Remove or isolate and secure flammable materials.
G. Review and practice this plan.

IV. DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
A. If you are indoors STAY THERE. Move away from windows, book cases, and tall shelves. Get 
under a table or desk and hold on to it. Be prepared to move with it and HOLD that position 
until the shaking stops and it is safe to move. If there is no desk or table to get under, 
brace yourself in an interior corner. Watch for falling, flying and sliding objects.
NOTE: If you are in a mobile home which is resting on A-Frame supports, get on top of the 
bed or sofa and cover your head and face. If a mobile home slips off the supports they may 
penetrate  the flooring and cause injuries.
B. If you are outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, power poles, brick 
or block walls and other objects that could fall.
C. If you are in an automobile, stop and stay in it until the shaking ends. Avoid stopping 
near trees and power lines or on or under overpasses or bridges.
D. If you are in a high-rise building, get under a desk and hold on, or crouch next to an 
interior wall until the shaking stops. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR TO EVACUATE. Use the stairs.
E. If you are in a store, get under a table or any sturdy object. Avoid stopping under 
anything that could fall. DO NOT RUN FOR THE EXIT. Choose your exit carefully.

V. IF YOU EVACUATE
A. Prominently post a message indicating where you can be found and the date and time you 
left.
B. Take with you:
1. Medicines and first aid kit
2. Flashlight, radio and batteries
3. Important papers and cash
4. Food, blankets and extra clothes
C. Make arrangements for pets

VI. AFTER A DISASTER
A. Put on heavy shoes immediately to avoid injury from stepping on glass.
B. Locate a light source, such as a flashlight, if necessary.
C. Check for injuries and administer first aid.
D. Check for fires and fire hazards.
1. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the hot water heater. If you smell gas, hear a hissing 
sound or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open the windows and carefully leave 
the house.
DO NOT TURN LIGHTS ON OR OFF. DO NOT STRIKE MATCHES.
NOTE: Do not shut off the gas unless you suspect a leak exists. Do not turn it back on 
until the gas company or a plumber has checked the system.
2. Shut off the water at the main valve.
3. Turn off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker or fuse box.
E. Check on your neighbors.
F. Listen for advisories using a battery powered radio. The primary Emergency Alert System 
station for San Diego County is KOGO AM 600. The secondary station is KLSD AM 1360.
G. Do not touch downed power lines or objects touching downed wires. Do not stand in water 
near downed lines.
H. Clean up potentially harmful material.
I. Check house, roof, and chimney for damage.
J. Do not use the phone except in emergencies. Only call 911 for life threatening 
emergencies.
K. For general and updated disaster information, and for information on Red Cross shelters, 
call 211. (858) 300-1211 from a cell phone.
L. DO NOT GO SIGHTSEEING!
M. Be prepared for aftershocks.
N. Open closets and cupboards carefully.
O. Cooperate with public safety officials.
P. Be prepared to evacuate when/if necessary.

VII. HOME EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
This list contains items usually available in your home. It is recommended that they be 
organized and located for easy access during an emergency. Your emergency supplies should 
be sufficient to sustain you, your family and pets for a minimum of 72 hours. A two (2) 
week supply of medicines and prescription drugs is recommended.

Basic
Water - minimum of 1 gallon per person per day 
Blankets or sleeping bags for each member 
of the family
First Aid Kit - ample and freshly stocked 
Radio - portable, with spare batteries
First Aid book - know how to use it Critical medications and glasses
Can opener - non-electric 
Fire extinguisher-multipurpose dry chemical labeled "ABC"
Watch or clock - non-electric Flashlight - spare batteries and bulb
Food- canned or dehydrated, pre-cooked and/or requiring minimum heat or water
Consider household members with special needs: infants, elderly, disabled, non-English 
speakers, pets.
Sanitation Supplies
Large plastic trash bags for waste sanitation and
protection
Powdered chlorinated lime-Add to sewage to deodorize,
disinfect and reduce insects
Pre-moistened towelettes Dentures
Newspapers to wrap garbage or waste Feminine supplies
Hand soap and liquid detergent Infant supplies
Shampoo Toilet paper and paper towels
Toothpaste & toothbrush Deodorant

Safety
Heavy shoes for each family member 
Garden hose - for siphoning and fire fighting
Heavy gloves for each adult 
Knife or razor blades
Candles and waterproof matches
(never light or strike a match near possible gas
sources)
Clothes - complete change for each family member

Car Survival Kit
Non-perishable food Sealable plastic bags
Flares Flashlight with batteries
Bottled water Tools and rubber hose
First Aid kit Critical medications
Fire extinguisher Pre-moistened towelettes and tissues
Blanket

Cooking
Plastic bags - various sizes, sealable
Paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels
Pots (cooking) - at least two
Barbecue or gas grill; charcoal and lighter or propane (for outdoor use only); Sterno® 
stove

Water Tips
To purify drinking water use one of the following methods:
A. Boil for 1 full minute, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate, let water 
completely cool before use, or
B. Add 8 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) of household bleach per gallon of clear water, 16 drops 
(or 1 teaspoon) per gallon of cloudy water, mix well and let stand for 30 minutes, or
C. Water purification tablets (follow manufacturer’s instructions).

VIII. IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
USE "911" FOR LIFE SAFETY ONLY
A. FIRE:
B. POLICE:
C. MEDICAL:
D. PHYSICIAN:
E. GAS COMPANY:
F. ELECTRIC COMPANY:
G. WATER COMPANY:
H. OTHER:

IX. Practice Your Plan as A Family
A. Practice helps people feel less disoriented and better organized in case of a disaster-
even in the middle of the night.
B. Make sure your family knows where to locate fire extinguishers, gas and water valves, 
and the main circuit breaker.
C. Update your Family Disaster Plan
a. Verify the telephone numbers and personal information of everyone listed in the plan.
b. Print updated copies for all the members of your family and for your children’s school.
D. In case of emergency, you should know if the school will keep your children until an 
authorized adult comes to get them.
E. Determine what is required to release your child to your representatives if you cannot 
get there yourself.
F. Ensure that the school knows your current contact information and those people 
authorized to collect your children.
G. Check the Contents of Your Emergency Kits
a. Change the batteries in your flashlights and portable radio
b. Replace spare batteries.
c. Replenish your emergency kits. 
d. Replace bottled water; 
e. Check expiration dates to ensure that all food is still safe to eat 
and that medicines have not expired.
___________________________________________________________________
Source:San Diego County Office of Emergency Services