Make a Plan

With the help of these resources, you can go from zero to having a plan in just 4 weeks time.

Of course you can spend a lot more time than that, but here are some ways to think your way through it all.

Week 1: Make and Practice Your Plan

What to do in the first week.

Make an Emergency Plan. You can also use this booklet from the American Red Cross that breaks down readiness preparation into on a weekly basis.
Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area
Learn your evacuation zone and have an evacuation plan
In Oregon, we have to prepare for both wildfires and earthquakes. (But not tornadoes!)

What to do in the second week.

Know basic home maintenance to protect your family and home. Learn how to mitigate your home against flood damage, or protect against the impacts of earthquakes.
Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas in your home.
Put smoke alarms on every level of your home, test them monthly, and replace them when they are 10 years old.
Know the ways to keep your home safe from cooking, heating & electrical fires.
Take a CPR class from your local Red Cross.

What to do in the third week.

Insurance is the first line of defense; check your insurance coverage.
Flood Insurance allows communities and families to recover more quickly and more fully. Visit Floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to protect your home or business.
Check to see if you're eligible for earthquake insurance if you live in an earthquake zone.

What to do in the fourth week.

Plan financially for the possibility of disaster.
Complete an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK)
Maintain emergency savings for use in case of an emergency
Know in advance what to do to protect your finances and property after a disaster.