| At best, you've got ample warning to get out of | | | | of particularly expensive items like furniture and |
| your house and out of town. At worst, you have | | | | electronics, including serial numbers if possible. If |
| minutes. What do you take? Where do you go? | | | | your belongings are damaged or destroyed, you'll |
| Your ability to make sound, safe decisions in this | | | | have a recent record to give to your insurance |
| situation may be impaired. That's why you should | | | | company. |
| prepare for disasters ahead of time. Create a | | | | 5. Create emergency preparedness kits that |
| disaster preparedness plan for your family to help | | | | include the basics. |
| you make it to safety. Use this disaster checklist | | | | There are entire websites dedicated to building |
| as a guide. | | | | comprehensive emergency kits, but start by |
| 1. Monitor the situation. | | | | including the basics: |
| Advanced warning systems make it possible to | | | | - Three-day supply of water for each person |
| prepare before a natural disaster strikes, so stay | | | | (one gallon per person per day) |
| informed. The National Weather Service issues | | | | - Three-day supply of nonperishable food and a |
| alerts across television stations, radio channels and | | | | can opener |
| even text message and email alerts. They also | | | | - Radio, flashlight and batteries |
| produce continuous Weather Radio broadcasts on | | | | - First aid kit |
| a nationwide network that can only be picked up | | | | - Map |
| on special radios from the National Oceanic & | | | | - Cell phones and chargers |
| Atmosphere Administration (NOAA). If you live in | | | | - Prescription medications |
| an area prone to severe weather, consider | | | | - Matches |
| purchasing one of their receivers to hear these | | | | - Important documents like birth certificates, |
| broadcasts. | | | | insurance and bank account information |
| 2. Know where to go. | | | | - Sleeping bags |
| If you need to evacuate the house due to fire, | | | | - Change of clothes6. Create a communication |
| gas leak or other home-based emergency, pick a | | | | plan. |
| spot down the street for all family members to | | | | Have critical phone numbers stored in your cell |
| meet. Discuss this often as part of your disaster | | | | phone, purse, briefcase, vehicle or other accessible |
| planning so everyone is prepared. In the event of | | | | location. While cell phone service may be |
| a regional disaster resulting from a tornado, flood | | | | unavailable, you can still access the phone book |
| or hurricane, make plans to travel at least an hour | | | | feature. Another good idea is to arrange for a |
| away. Major roads could be jammed with traffic | | | | family member or friend who lives out of town to |
| or blocked by debris, so plan alternate routes. | | | | act as a liaison in the event of disaster. It may be |
| Also, remember not to drive into water on the | | | | easier to reach them on a long-distance call rather |
| road or get out of the vehicle amidst downed | | | | than trying to place local calls on jammed signals. |
| power lines. | | | | Everyone in your family, including children, should |
| 3. Locate shut-off controls for gas, electric and | | | | know how to reach this person so you can all |
| water in your home. | | | | relay messages and plans through him or her. |
| As part of your disaster checklist, make sure | | | | 7. Include your pets in your disaster preparedness |
| adults and teens in your family know where the | | | | plan. |
| shut-off valves are located and how to operate | | | | Animals, with the exception of service dogs, are |
| them. Leave the necessary wrenches and tools in | | | | not permitted in public shelters or places where |
| an easily accessible spot so this can be done | | | | food is served. Call kennels and shelters to see if |
| quickly. | | | | they provide emergency care for pets. You can |
| 4. Take inventory of your belongings. | | | | also contact the hotels where you plan to stay in |
| It may seem time-consuming, but it's a good idea | | | | the event of a disaster to see if they accept |
| to take an annual inventory of your valuable | | | | pets. Be sure to have identification and vaccination |
| possessions. Create a written list or record the | | | | records easily accessible. |
| items with a photo or video camera. Take note | | | | |