Preparing an Emergency Evacuation kit.

Fire season has started and there is only one way off the mountain. Now is the time to get prepared to evacuate encase of an emergency. It is a good idea to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car or to grab and go box that will be easily accessible for you and your family. Build an Emergency Evacuation Kit Including:

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Copies of prescription medications
• Cell Phone chargers
• Bedding including sleeping bags & pillows
• Extra change of clothes
• Bottled water
• Battery operated radio
• Extra batteries
• Flashlight
• First-aid kit
• Copies of important documents( like your drivers license, SS card, proof of residency, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, etc.)
• Pre-pack non-replaceable, personal items that you can quickly move to a vehicle if you are instructed to evacuate.

Talk to your family, make a plan!  Decide where to meet, where to stay, where you are going. If you have pets plan ahead for them as well and have prepared go bags for them. If you do not have a car, make a plan ahead of time…ask a friend or a neighbor ahead of time, if you can ride off the hill with them.   If you have a car, keep 1/2 tank of gas in it at all times.  If the power goes out, the stations may not be able to pump gas unless they have a generator and even then they may only be able to take cash payments. Remember, in case of an emergency the number one priority is safety first. Proper advanced preparations can ease the stress of evacuation and help you make sure all the necessities are not left behind or forgotten.