Home Preparedness

Take time to think about your home, its layout, and what it would take to shelter in place or evacuate quickly if needed. What can you do now to make sure your home and household can withstand an emergency and recover from a disaster that disrupts normal life for days or even weeks?

Home preparedness starts with knowing the hazards that threaten your property, whether that’s wildfire, flooding, severe winter weather, or earthquake, and understanding that our peninsula location can mean limited routes in and out, so roads may be blocked or outside emergency responders may take longer to reach you. That makes having your home ready to keep you safe even more important.

Preparedness also means knowing your home’s risks and having the right supplies, tools, and plans in place before an emergency happens. Consider the following, at a minimum:

• Utility shut-offs – Know the location of your gas, water, and electrical shut-off valves and switches, and keep any needed tools nearby
• Home hazard check – Secure heavy furniture, water heaters, and shelving that could tip or fall; identify and address other hazards specific to your home (flood-prone areas, dead trees near the house, wildfire fuel near structures)
• Emergency kit – A stocked kit including water (1 gallon per person, per day), non-perishable food, first aid supplies, and hand-crank or battery-powered light sources and a portable radio
• Tools & supplies – A basic tool kit, fire extinguisher, work gloves, and plastic sheeting or tarps for temporary repairs
• Backup power – A plan for backup lighting, phone charging, or a generator (used safely, outdoors, and away from windows) in case of extended power outages
• Evacuation routes – Know at least two ways out of your home and off the peninsula, in case your primary route is blocked
• Important documents – Copies of property records, insurance policies, and identification kept in a waterproof or portable container, easy to grab quickly
• Home emergency plan – A plan for where household members will meet, both near your home and elsewhere on the peninsula, if you can’t return home or need to evacuate quickly