Wake County has developed a program called ReadyWake to help you and your family prepare for possible disasters. This website provides information on you can prepare in the event of an emergency.

1. Prepare a plan for when you must leave your home. Decide how your family will leave your home if there is an emergency. Select a safe place to meet outside your home. Practice your home evacuation plan.   Ready.gov is a great resource to help you get started.
   
   
2. Choose a contact person. Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so plan how you will contacteach other. Decide what you will do in different situations.Pick a friend or relative outside of the WakeCounty area. Family members can call or email that person in an emergency.
   
   
3. Pick a meeting place away from home. This can be the place where your family can meet if you are separated from each other and your home.
   
   
4. Identify persons with disabilities and special needs. Make plans ahead of time for anyone in your home who has special needs such as medicines or medical equipment. Make sure that you will have the things they need during an emergency.
   
   
5. Prepare a home emergency kit. Include enough food, water, medical supplies, and other needed items for each family member for three days. Remember to check your kit every six months to make sure you have what you need and check your medicine to make sure it has not expired.

Rules to Follow in an Emergency

• Try to stay calm.
• Seek medical attention if you or a family member is sick or injured.
• Call 9-1-1 if you have a life-threatening emergency.
• Stay away from downed electrical lines. They can even jump around without warning and can cause serious injuries.
• Stay away from flooded areas. Do not drive or walk through flood-waters. You or your car may get swept away.
• Only use the phone if really needed. Phone lines often become jammed when too many people use them at once.
• Do not use generators, grills or fuel-burning heaters in your home, garage or any other enclosed space. Do not try to heat your home with a stove or oven. Many of these things can make a poisonous gas that can kill you.