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🚨 Family Emergency Guide - Preperation, Alerts and Resources 🆘

⚠️ What families need to know before, during, and after an emergency

By Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas May 21, 2026
Emergency Preparedness and Resources family sitting on a sofa with a coffee table full of emergency kit supplies like wate, toilet paper, food, flashlight and more
Image Credit: davidpereiras via Canva.png

Safety is important, and if you’re like many families, emergency preparedness is probably sitting somewhere on your to-do list. Between school, work, activities, and everyday life, it’s easy to put off planning ahead until something happens close to home. But emergencies can happen anytime + from wildfires and power outages to earthquakes, flooding, extreme heat, and severe weather + and being prepared can make a big difference for your family.

Planning ahead and preventing emergencies is always the goal, but when unexpected situations happen, take a deep breath, stay calm, stay informed, and follow recommendations from trusted local resources. One of the best things you can do is prepare before an emergency happens. Start by building an emergency kit, creating a family emergency plan, and talking with your kids about what to do in different situations. Consider practicing drills at home and quizzing kids so they feel more confident and less scared during an emergency.

Our kids practice emergency drills at school regularly, but many of us don’t always have a clear plan at home. That’s where Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas can help. This guide includes local emergency resources, alert systems, preparedness tips, and information for families in Conejo Valley, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Calabasas, Malibu, and nearby communities in Ventura County and Los Angeles County.

Whether it’s dangerously hot weather that catches us off guard, heavy rain and flooding, wildfire season, Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or the long overdue “big one” earthquake we’ve all heard about for years, it’s always better to prepare sooner rather than later.

The first step is staying informed. Sign up for emergency alerts, download helpful apps, and make sure your family knows where to find information during an emergency.

👉 Before you start, here are a few important things to do:

  • Bookmark this page so it's easy to find when you need it
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts
  • Create a family emergency plan
  • Know where all your important documents are stored
  • Make a list of items you would need to take if you had to evacuate
  • Keep extra essential on hand in case you need to shelter in place

Please note:  This guide is still a work in progress as I continue adding local resources and helpful information. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often for updates, emergency resources, and preparedness tips for local families.

🚨 Are you signed up for emergency alerts? 

I learned how essential these alerts were during Woolsey fire. If you are not signed-up, now is a good time. I've also included information for nearby counties in case you will be visiting or want to share with friend and family as well as other helpful emergency and weather related information.

📲 Sign Up for Alerts:

You can also access information via their website. Keep in mind depending on the emergency you may not have power or internet service that is why it's important to plan ahead so you get warnings in a timely manner.

👉 Find Emergency Information:

📲 Helpful Apps:

  • Weather apps and alerts:  There are too many to list, but find ones you like and set up alerts so you are always informed
  • PulsePoint:  A 911-connected app that can immediately inform you of emergencies occurring in your community - not available in all areas.
  • Nixle:   Receive alerts for severe weather, criminal activities, severe traffic,  missing persons + keeps you up-to-date with relevant information from  your local public safety departments.
  • Watch Duty: This is my go-to app for fire information. If you smell smoke take a  look, set up alerts for updated and evacuation information.
  • Flightradar24: Live flight tracker - shows air traffic in real time. If you've ever  wondered why that helicopter is circling above your house you can look  up and see if it's police, fire or something else.
  • Nextdoor:  This allows you to connect with neighbor and community members for the  latest information, happenings and give and ask for help.

🌞 Helpful weather updates:

🏖️ Beach Information:

Beaches can be places for lots of family fun and even on the best day safety should be top of mind. There are times when weather can makes them less safe so be sure to check the weather and surf forecast before heading out, be especially mindful of warnings for high tides and ripcurrents. After it rains is often when the ocean's water quality can be more of concern so check that too. Have a safe beach day!

🌊 Here are some helpful sites to check before heading out:

🌧️ Storms and Flooding Information + Where to get and how to use Sandbags




🔥 Wildfire Information:


Get Ready and Plan ahead - Fire Preparation and Prevention

Up to date emergency information:

  • Visit links above for the most up-to-date emergency info in your community.
  • Watch Duty:  This is my go-to app for fire information. If you smell smoke take a  look, set up alerts for updated and evacuation information.
  • CalFire Incidents: Ongoing emergency responses in California

Helpful ideas to prevent embers from entering attic vents:




🔥 Earthquake Information:

Check back - coming soon

🌪️ Helpful Hurricane Information:

I know we don't typically have hurricanes here, but we did have have one not long ago, so it's good to be prepared and know what to do just in case. Review this information and keep it handy if you ever do need it. 

Here are some articles from my sister publishers who's areas experience hurricane weather more often. While some of the information might not apply to our region the rest could be of valuable. 


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    Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas. Photos of publisher, Brenna and her family many at Disneyland

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    Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas, is a local resource for family fun things to do. Subscribe for free updates, share events, and learn about advertising. Email: brennag@macaronikid.com

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