Shelter in Place Plan

Family emergency plan

Who to call, where to meet, who gets the kids. Fill in what you know, leave the rest, and print a one-page plan and a wallet card for everyone.

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1 Your household

People who live here

2 Who everyone checks in with

Pick one person who lives out of the area. After a local emergency it is often easier to reach someone far away, and everyone can pass news through them. Text first: texts often get through when calls do not.

3 Where you meet
4 Kids, school and pets

Ask each school or daycare about its emergency plan: where children go and who is allowed to pick them up. Tell them who you have named.

5 Medical needs

Write what someone else would need to know. Keep doses and full medication lists on your paper medication list, and talk to your pharmacist about extra supply.

6 Shutoffs and supplies

Gas: PreparedBC says not to shut off natural gas just because you get an evacuation order, and that once gas is shut off at the meter, only a licensed gas contractor should turn it back on. My shutting off utilities guide has more.

7 Important numbers

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Print it

Print the plan for the fridge or the kit, and a wallet card for each adult and older child. The cards fold in half to credit-card size.

Print

Your one-page plan

Your wallet cards

Cut along the dashed line, fold on the middle line, and tape or laminate.

Once it is printed

  • Put a copy on the fridge and one in your emergency kit.
  • Give a wallet card to each adult and older child, and a copy to your out-of-area contact.
  • Tell the school or daycare who is allowed to pick up your children.
  • Walk to both meeting places together once, and practise the plan at a household meeting.
  • Check it every six months, or when a phone number changes.

Next: build your supply plan, or try the kit in a weekend challenge.

This is general information, not legal or safety advice for your situation. In an emergency, call 911. What you type here is saved only in this browser and never sent to me. On a shared computer, use "Clear the form" when you finish. See privacy.

Where these numbers come from (4 sources)