How to Make a Safety Plan

Emergencies are hard to think about, especially if it involves one or more of your family member potentially being injured or killed. However, thinking about is the best thing to do so you can form a safety plan in case something does go wrong. You and your family will know just what to do if an emergency should happen.

1. Decide what your safety plan covers. These things can include burglaries and fires, or anything that would make you need to leave your home quickly. Write down the plan if you or your family members need to be reminded.


2. Decide how to escape from your home in case of an emergency. What doors are easy to access, what windows can be climbed through, and what family member is closet to what escape route. Pinpoint the easiest and safest escapes. In case your desired emergency exit isn't available, pick the exit you would use next.


3. Decide how you would protect yourself if the emergency was a person or people were breaking-in. Is there a gun in your bedside drawer or a baseball bat under your bed you can use? If you are uncomfortable with weapons take self-defense classes so you can protect yourself. Also, have your children take self-defense classes.


4. Decide on what important belongings are, such as car keys and identification cards, and set them near your emergency exit when you are not using them. This makes them easy to grab on your way out. If you do not have a second to spare, leave your belongings behind.


5. Decide which parent will get the younger children and infants out of the house. Also, if you have pets you must take, know who is responsible for them.


6. Decide where you will go once out of your home. Is there a neighbor who will let you in? Or a close relative? Or can you get in your car and drive to the nearest police station?


7. Check every family member for injuries once you are in a safe spot. Know who will need minor first aide and who needs to go to the emergency room right away. If someone does have a life threatening injury, take them to the hospital immediately.


8. Call 911. As soon as you get a chance call 911 and report the incident.