Get ready: Plan and prepare for an emergency with your family

Communicating with family members is essential to make sure everyone is okay. To prepare for an emergency, have a simple plan that accounts for limited cell phone service, texting, and e-mails. Make sure everyone in your family has a mutual contact out of the region or state. This person can act as a contact point for you and your loved ones.

• Sign up for Emergency Alerts:
  • Check with your local city or town public safety office to see if it uses an alert system and what you might need to do to sign up
  • Check with your kids’ school(s) to determine if they use an alert system and how you would get notified in the event of an emergency
  • Find out if your workplace has any sort of emergency alerting system and how they would contact you if an emergency occurs
  • Identify any other locations where your or your loved ones might spend a lot of time or take part in activities and ask about their alert and warning systems
• Prepare a Family Emergency Communications Plan
• Stay engaged through social media:
  • Follow DPH on Twitter
  • Like MA Responds on Facebook
  • Follow MEMA on Twitter
  • Like MEMA on Facebook
  • Find the social media accounts of a public health or safety agency in your community.
• Visit MA 211 for information on essential community services.

Think about your family’s health needs, vulnerabilities, and capabilities when you make your emergency preparedness plan. Whether you are sheltering-in-place or evacuating to a different location, a plan will help keep you and your family safe.

Make a plan for: 

• Adults
• Kids
• Seniors
• Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
• Pets

Additional tips:

• Steps for Sheltering in Place
• Planning to Evacuate
• Prepare for a Hurricane

Every home should have a basic emergency preparedness kit that can be used for any emergency. Store your kit in an area that is dry and easy to get to. Review your kit every six months to identify and replace outdated supplies. While some items should be in everyone’s kit, it is important to adapt the kit for the needs of you and your family.

Download a free emergency kit checklist and customize to your specific needs. These downloadable forms include: 

• Preparedness Checklist
• Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness 
• All Know Plan Prepare materials

Printed copies of the brochure are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. To order copies, please visit the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse.