How to Prioritize an Evacuation List

How to Prioritize an Evacuation List

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More information at: FEMA.gov                       PreparedLDSFamily.blogspot.com

If you had a few minutes to evacuate, would you be ready?

1. On a piece of paper, list the most important items you want to take with you. Just brainstorm and start
writing.

2. Then divide the big list into four smaller lists; what you would take if you had 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour to evacuate. Look at the sample for ideas. You could use the blank form to practice on.

3. Then arrange your items within those smaller lists in the order you would grab them in your home to save the most time. Perhaps start upstairs, and work your way down. If you don't have an upstairs, then choose a room you would go to first.


4. Gather from more than one list if you have time. For instance, if you end up with 15 minutes to evacuate, then grab items on both the 5 minute list and the 15 minute list based on location. Or if you have 30 minutes, grab from the 5 minute list, the 15 minute list and the 30 minute list. And so forth.


5. You may need to move some items to a more central location.

6. Practice the evacuation with your family. Does your teenage daughter know what an external hard drive is? Or where the 72-hour kits are? Adjust the order of items if necessary. Teach teens that it may be safer to just get out of the house without grabbing anything.


7. Make several copies of the list and hang in various locations in your home where others will see it.

8. During an evacuation, grab the list and carry it with you as you gather items. You may want to grab a laundry basket and fill it up.

9. Also, decide on several meeting places. Consider one a mile away, one 15 miles away, one 30 miles away and one out of state.