Preparedness Tips

Having a family communication plan is vital for staying safe and connected during a disaster or emergency. When normal communication channels are disrupted, knowing how to reach each other and where to meet can prevent fear and confusion. A family communication plan outlines important contact information, meeting places, and steps to take if family members are separated. It also ensures that everyone, including children and elderly relatives, knows what to do and who to call.

 A Communications Plan should include:

  • Household information
    • Phone number, address
    • Information on family members
      • Names
      • Phone numbers
      • Addresses
      • Emails
      • Important medical information
  • Emergency Plans
  • Emergency Contacts
    • Be sure to have at least one out-of-state contact
  • Emergency meeting places
  • Medical information
    • Doctors’ names
    • Vet’s name
    • Poison Control
    • Allergy information
    • Medical insurance name and policy
  • Any additional information that would be beneficial

By planning ahead, families can respond more calmly and effectively, helping protect each other and reunite more quickly after an emergency. To help you and your family create a communications plan, the Make a Plan form at Ready.gov.

Make your own Ready kit with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, seniors or family members with special needs. Add those items to your kit and start packing it today! Learn more about building a ready kit at Build a Kit | Ready.gov.

Recommended Items

Food and Water

  • Water – One gallon per person per day, for at least 3 days, for drinking and hygiene
  • Food – At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Can opener – For food, if your kit contains canned items

Communication and Light

  • Radio – Battery-powered or hand crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Extra batteries – For radio and flashlight
  • Flashlight
  • Whistle – To signal for help
  • Emergency charger – For mobile devices

First Aid and Hygiene

  • First aid kit
  • Face mask – To help filter contaminated air
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape – For sheltering in place
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties – For personal hygiene

Tools and Navigation

  • Wrench or pliers – To turn off utilities
  • Local maps

Health and Medications

  • Prescription medications and glasses
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – To disinfect water

Infant and Pet Care

  • Infant formula and diapers
  • Pet food, extra water, pet supplies, toys, and vaccination forms

Documents and Money

  • Important family documents – Copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
  • Cash or traveler’s checks and change

Shelter and Comfort

  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person – Add extra bedding in cold weather
  • Complete change of clothing – Include a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes (consider cold-weather gear)

Safety and Supplies

  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels

Info and Entertainment

  • Emergency reference materials – Such as a first aid book
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children

Technology has made it easier than ever to prepare for emergencies, but it can be unreliable in an emergency if you haven’t kept your gadgets protected and powered up. Here are some tips to make sure you are tech-ready:

Here are basic tips to get started:

  • To sign up to get preparedness tips from FEMA: text PREPARE to 43362.
  • To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER and a ZIP code to 43362.
  • To get a list of all keywords you can subscribe to: text LIST to 43362.
  • To unsubscribe (at any time): text STOP to 43362.
  • Follow Gwinnett County on social media, including Gwinnett County Government, Police, and Fire, for important updates and alerts
  • Get Alert Gwinnett!

Use text messages, social media, and email to connect with friends and family during emergencies.

  • Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it hard to make and get phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth, which means they can be transmitted more reliably during situations when many people are trying to use their mobile phones simultaneously.
  • Social media channels such as Facebook can also be an effective way to update family and friends during emergencies. Facebook’s Safety Check feature enables users to quickly post a status update confirming their safety during a disaster.

Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices. 

Smartphones have become a vital tool to get emergency alerts and warnings so it’s important to make sure you can keep them powered up in an emergency.

  • At home: Before severe weather, make sure that your electronic devices are fully charged. If the power goes out, save battery power by minimizing device use. Keep a backup power source on hand.
  • In your car: Keep a portable phone charger in your car at all times and consider purchasing a backup power supply to keep in your car as well.
  • Change the settings on your phone to low power mode or place it on airplane mode to conserve energy.

Store important documents on a secure, password-protected jump drive or in the cloud.

  • Several apps for mobile devices let you use your phone’s camera as a scanning device. This lets you capture electronic versions of important documents such as insurance policies, identification documents, and medical records. Don’t forget to include your pet’s information.
  • Backup your computer to protect photos and other important electronic documents.
  • Scan old photos to protect them from loss.
  • Keep your contacts updated and synced across your channels, including phone, email, and social media. This will make it easy to reach out to the right people quickly to get information and give updates.
  • Create a group chat via a texting app or a thread for family/friends/coworkers to communicate quickly during a disaster.

Sign up for direct deposit and electronic banking through your financial institution so you can access your paycheck and make electronic payments wherever you are. 

Federal benefit recipients can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or at GoDirect.org.

Those in Gwinnett County are no strangers to heat, but in extreme heat and humidity, your sweat evaporates very slowly and your body has to work harder to cool itself. Protect your health by knowing what to do before, during and after a period of extreme heat:

Before Extreme Heat

  • Check to see if your home’s cooling system is working properly.
  • Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and windowsills to keep the cool air inside.
  • Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)

During Extreme Heat

  • Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun
  • Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body
  • Closely monitor a local radio station, TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest information
  • Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat
  • Spend time in air-conditioned places
  • Stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
  • Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone
  • Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles

For More Information: Extreme Heat | Ready.gov

A fire can become life-threatening in just a matter of minutes, and a residence can be engulfed in flames in as little as five minutes.

Fire is fast. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames. Fire is hot. Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling super-hot air can scorch your lungs. Fire is dark. It starts bright, but rooms can quickly fill up with black smoke and create total darkness. Fire is deadly. Smoke and toxic gases kill more than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that can make you drowsy and disoriented.

Follow these tips to protect you and your family during a fire. Additional information is available at Fire | Ready.gov.

Before a Fire

Smoke Alarm Safety

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home
  • Replace batteries twice a year or use 10-year lithium alarms
  • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
  • Never disable alarms, even while cooking

Prepare Important Records

  • Make digital copies of vital documents such as identification, insurance, and birth certificates
  • Contact your insurance provider for guidance on inventories and fire restoration

Create and Practice an Escape Plan

  • Practice your fire escape plan twice a year
  • Identify two exits from every room
  • Ensure windows open easily and security bars release properly
  • Practice escaping in the dark or with eyes closed
  • Teach children not to hide from firefighters
  • Check exits for accessibility if using mobility aids

Additional Safety Tips

  • Sleep with bedroom doors closed
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
  • Consider installing a home fire sprinkler system

During a Fire

  • Crawl low under smoke to reach your exit
  • Check doors for heat before opening
  • Use an alternate exit if doors are hot or smoky
  • Leave immediately if someone needs help you cannot reach and call 9-1-1
  • Notify firefighters if pets are trapped inside
  • If trapped:
    • Close doors and seal vents and cracks
    • Call 9-1-1 and report your location
    • Signal from a window using a light or cloth
  • If clothes catch fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll
    • Cool burns with water for 3–5 minutes
    • Cover with a clean, dry cloth
    • Seek medical help immediately

Infectious disease outbreaks can impact public safety, healthcare systems, and daily life. Seasonal flu, emerging diseases, and pandemics pose ongoing risks.

Key Actions

  • Stay informed through public health updates
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Follow guidance from healthcare and emergency officials
  • Have a personal preparedness plan

For more information, visit: Ready.gov | Pandemics.

Older adults may have unique needs during an emergency or disaster. Use the tabs below to follow three simple steps—assess your needs, make a plan, and engage your support network—to help you stay prepared. For detailed guidance and printable worksheets, visit Older Adults | Ready.gov.

Assess Your Needs

Understand your risks and what support you may need in an emergency.

  • Learn about hazards that may affect your area in the Learn About Local Hazards section
  • Consider medical conditions, medications, dietary needs, and assistive devices
  • Ensure you can access medical records, prescriptions, and benefits
  • Confirm caregivers know your needs and emergency plans
  • Identify transportation options and community resources

Write down important phone numbers, addresses, and critical information and keep them accessible.

Make a Plan

Emergencies can happen without warning, so having a plan in place is essential.

  • Build a support network of trusted family, friends, and caregivers
  • Make sure at least one person can access you if help is needed
  • Include plans for service animals or pets
  • Prepare for assistive device needs (such as backup batteries)
  • Store key financial and insurance documents in a portable, waterproof container

Share your plan with those who support you.

Engage Your Support Network

A strong support network can make a critical difference during a disaster.

  • Connect with family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, or faith-based communities
  • Make sure your network understands your specific needs
  • Learn your clinic or hospital’s emergency plans and identify backup providers

Staying connected helps ensure you’re not facing an emergency alone.

Pets are family and should be included in every emergency plan. As you plan, build a kit, and stay informed, make sure you’re prepared to protect your pets as well. For more guidance, visit Prepare Your Pets for Disasters on Ready.gov.

Make a Plan for Your Pet

Include pets in your emergency and evacuation plans to reduce stress and confusion.

  • Plan where your pet will go if you must evacuate; not all shelters accept pets
  • Arrange a buddy system with neighbors, friends, or family
  • Microchip pets and keep contact information up to date, including an out-of-area emergency contact

Build a Kit for Your Pet

Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies your pet may need for several days.

  • Food and water (with bowls)
  • Collar with ID tag, harness or leash, and copies of registration or medical records
  • Travel crate or carrier for each pet
  • Comfort items such as toys, treats, or bedding

Travel and Larger Animals

Help pets feel comfortable with carriers before an emergency.

  • Leave carriers out and accessible
  • Keep them open and add familiar bedding
  • Use treats to encourage positive experiences
  • Know where pets tend to hide for quick evacuation

For larger animals (horses, cows, goats):

  • Ensure all animals are properly identified
  • Evacuate early when possible
  • Confirm destinations can provide food, water, veterinary care, and handling equipment

After a disaster or emergency, tap water may not be safe to use or drink. Use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing your teeth during an emergency or disaster where your water is affected. If you are unable to use bottled water, here are some methods to make your water safe:

  • Boil: Boil your water for one minute. This will kill bacteria, viruses, or parasites
  • Disinfect: Add 8 drops or a little less than 1/8 of a teaspoon of 5%-9% unscented household bleach to one gallon of water. Wait at least 30 minutes before using it. This method will kill most viruses and bacteria
  • Filter: Most portable water filters do not remove bacteria or viruses. Choose a water filter labeled to remove parasites and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Filtered water might need additional treatment to be safe.

TIP: Water contaminated with harmful chemicals or toxins cannot be made safe by boiling, disinfecting, or filtering!!

For more information on your drinking water visit Water Resources - Gwinnett | Gwinnett County