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Be informed. Make a plan. Build a kit.

Family Emergency Preparedness Plan

Become aware of the volcanic hazards that might affect the areas where you live, work, or visit. Use our interactive map to read more about the volcanoes nearest you. 

Make a plan and ensure everyone in your family knows what to do in case of an emergency.

  • Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.
  • Choose places to meet and an out-of-area emergency contact person.
  • Plan what to do if you have to evacuate, decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. You may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.
  • In the event of imminent danger, it is important to find a safe place and stay there.


Build and maintain a disaster supplies kit. 
Ensure the following non-standard items are in your kit to live safely and more comfortably around active volcanoes:

  • recommended paint or respiratory mask and goggles for working outside in volcanic ash.
  • For people with existing respiratory difficulties, extra medication and oxygen required to live in dusty or ashy conditions.
  • Spare contact lenses, cleaning solution, eye glasses.
  • Plastic and tape to seal ash out of your house during extreme ash fall.