1. Identify Your Risk
What are the hazards where you live or work? Find out what natural or human caused disasters pose a risk for you. Do you live near a flood plain, an earthquake fault, or in a high fire danger area?

Are you prepared for an unexpected human-made disaster that can strike any time? Does your neighborhood or community have a disaster plan.
• Contact the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services at (707) 565-1152

2. Create a Family Disaster Plan
Your family needs a plan that tells everyone where to meet if you have to evacuate; who you’ve identified as an out-of-state “family contact”; how to get emergency information in your community; and how to take care of your family pets.
• Tips on preparing your family
• Create a family disaster plan
• Each family member should carry the Family Disaster Plan Card

3. Practice Your Disaster Plan
After you have sat down with your family and written your plan, practice it. Start by having family members meet at a designated spot outside your home, like you would after a fire or after the shaking stops. Know how to respond in the event of any disaster, whether to stay put indoors, or whether to evacuate your neighborhood by car. If your family needs to evacuate, know the proper evacuation procedures and routes as determined by the Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services.

4. Build a Disaster Supply Kit For Your Home and Car
If you are stranded in your car or have to be self-sufficient at home until help arrives, you need to have a disaster kit with you.
• Emergency Supply Checklist

5. Prepare Your Children
Talk to your kids about what the risks are and what your family will do if disaster strikes.
• Tips for Preparing Children

6. Don’t Forget Those With Special Needs
Seniors or those with special needs, and pets must not be forgotten.
• Tips for The Elderly
• Tips for Your Pets

7. Learn CPR and First Aid
Contact you local chapter of the American Red Cross today and get trained on basic first aid and CPR. Your training could save the life of a loved one or neighbor following a disaster.
• Learn CPR and First Aid with the Red Cross

8. Eliminate Hazards in Your Home and The Workplace
You must secure the contents of your home or office to reduce hazards, especially during shaking from an earthquake or from an explosion.
• How to Secure Your Furniture
• Make Your Home Fire Safe (Use the navigation to the left)

9. Understand Post 9/11 Risks
Disaster preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.
• Be Informed – Explosions, Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Threats

10. Get Involved, Volunteer, Bear Responsibility
Donate blood, join a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), educate your neighbor, or volunteer with you local American Red Cross.
• California Service Corps
• American Red Cross
• Sonoma County Department of Emergency Services