Emergency Preparedness

No one knows when an emergency will happen, but everyone knows that an emergency situation is always a possibility. Being prepared for an emergency is like having a spare tire. You are not expecting a flat tire, but you carry a spare just in case one happens. Being prepared can reduce anxiety, fear and losses during a disaster.
First on the list for being prepared in the event of an crisis is to have an emergency kit.
This kit should contain essentials like first-aid supplies, clothing, blankets, tools, flashlights and battery-powered radios, as well as health supplies like insulin or asthma inhalers for medical conditions.
Depending on the emergency, people could be forced to stay at home for days or leave at a moment’s notice. So the kit should also contain at least three days’ worth of bottled water and nonperishable food for each household member. It should be checked every six months and be in easy-to-carry containers, like backpacks or duffel bags.
Next on the list of priorities is a plan for what to do at home in the event of a catastrophe. The plan should include a written escape route and specify how family members will communicate if separated. An out of state contact is a good idea in the event of a localized natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood or hurricane.
Printed guides and a DVD with more suggestions for preparing your home are offered free of charge at fema.gov/areyouready. The Red Cross (redcross.org) and Homeland Security Department (dhs.gov) offer numerous additional suggestions for handling emergencies.
Plan and prepare to increase your chances of protecting you family and home in the event of an emergency.