Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services--water, gas, electricity or telephones--were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

By following the vital steps listed below, you can be sure that you're on the right track for being prepared for a disaster:

Additionally, www.prepare.org has been brought to you by the American Red Cross and other area community based organzations.  This website provides critical and up-to-date information to help you and your family prepare for disasters.

1. Make a Disaster Plan

Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and tornadoes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Be sure to consider the following points:

• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
• Pick two places to meet:
  1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
  2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact."
  After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation.
• Plan how to take care of your pets.
• Quiz your kids every six months or so.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
• Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

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2. Build an Emergency Supply Kit

There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container--suggested items are marked with an asterisk(*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffel bag.

For a list of other personal items you need to complete your starter disaster supplies kit, please read below. The lists below are also intended to be used as guidelines for people assembling their own disaster supply kits.

• Protective clothing, sturdy shoes, bedding, or sleeping bags
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler's checks and important family documents
• Medications and other special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
• Sanitation items
• Paper plates, paper cups and utensils
  

Water
Stock at least three gallons of water per person. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.

Food
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

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3. Get Trained

Will you be able to do everything possible for an injured child, friend, colleague, neighbor or family member? Each year Red Cross instructors certify an average of 7 million people in Red Cross health and safety courses, which include Red Cross CPR, first aid and lifeguard training. These courses in turn help make our communities healthier, safer places to live by giving you the knowledge and confidence to effectively respond to emergencies.

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