How to prepare for an emergency

No matter what part of Washington you live in, the arrival of winter brings more than just a chill in the air — there’s rain, snow, ice, sleet, sunsets at 4:30 p.m., and potential emergencies like power outages, storm damage, perilous driving conditions, and indoor fire hazards.

While the best time to plan for an emergency or disaster is BEFORE it happens, these tips and resources are good to know.

Know what potential hazards are in your area. Are you in a flood zone? Have a steep driveway that gets icy in the winter? Do windstorms cause your home’s power to go out? This will help determine what needs you have and how best to prepare.

Know your resources. This can include equipment like camping gear and flashlights, phone numbers of friends and family, and supplies like food, water, and medications. (Do not forget your pets!)

Identify your gaps. If you live in an apartment building, do you know where the stairs are if the power goes out? When was the last time you checked your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries? Do you know how to put chains on your car tires?

FEMA recommends that households have 72 hours of additional supplies on hand in case of an emergency. The Washington State Emergency Management Division recommends that people be “Two Weeks Ready” in case disaster strikes.† Either way, any emergency plan is better than no emergency plan.

Curious about “Two Weeks Ready”? Learn more.