MAINE PREPARES

• Home and Family
  • Preparing for Emergencies
  • Safe at Home or Away
  • Recovery
  • Families with Unique Needs
  • Taking Care of Pets and Livestock
• School
• Business
• Community
• Service Organizations
• What Can Happen Here?
• The Library
• Stay Informed
• What's Your PQ?
• Tell Us Your Story
• Show and Tell: How Do I Do That?
• Partners
• Credits
• MEMA Home

 

Home and Family: Getting Started

The best things in life are free...

Like being ready as a family for any emergency. Here are some simple steps to get you started. And they are absolutely free.

• Talk about what might happen: blizzard, fire, flooding, etc.
• How would you find out about it?
• Do you know how to contact each other? (See Communications Plan)
• What would you need if you couldn't get out for a few days?
• What are the most important things to take with you if you had to leave your home? If you go to a shelter, you may need pillows, blankets, and snacks to eat until the shelter is fully functioning. Think about financial papers, check books, credit cards, etc.
• Plan together about the special needs of your children and others in your family.
• Is there a blanket or special toy loved by a child?
• Is there a member of your family who requires special accommodations?
• Plan for your pets as well. They are a part of your family too.

Low Cost, High Value

Once you have talked through how you would deal with an emergency as a family, there may be a few things that you don't have on hand, that you want to pick up.

• Flashlights or a battery radio if you don't have one
• Fresh batteries for your flashlights and radio
• Non-perishable food for your home supply kit, or "Go kit" (what's on sale this week?)
• A little extra pet food or litter, to make sure you have enough on hand.

Use our Weekly Reminder Calendar to begin making small purchases that can help out a lot. You're on your way!

 

 

 

Maine.gov | Maine Prepares Home | MEMA Home | Site Policies