Find out what can
happen to you. Contact your local emergency
management office and American Red Cross chapter. Ask
what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Learn
about your community’s warning signals. Request
information on how to prepare for each. Ask about animal
care after disaster. Some animals may not be allowed inside
shelters due to health regulations. Find out how to help
elderly or disabled persons, if needed. Find out about
the disaster plan at your workplace, children’s
school or daycare center or other places where your family
spends time.
Create a disaster
plan. Meet with your family and discuss
why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers
of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan
to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
Discuss the types of disaster that are most likely to
happen. Pick two places to meet in case of a disaster:
one outside your home and one outside your community.
Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact.”
After a disaster it’s often easier to call long
distance. Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how
to take care of your pets.
Create a family kit.
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for
at least three days. Include water, nonperishable foods,
medicine and supplies for a first aid kit, tools (such
as a radio, flashlight and can opener) and supplies to
stay comfortable (such as blankets, hygiene supplies,
books, paper and pencils). Store these supplies in a sturdy
easy-to-carry container.
