| It can happen at any time; acts of terror, | | | | Practice |
| hurricanes, tornados, fires and other emergencies | | | | Have a plan for different situations, and practice |
| can strike without warning, and before you know | | | | them until they become second nature. In an |
| it you are without electricity in the middle of an | | | | emergency, you do not want to act out of |
| urban crisis. With a little planning, you can keep | | | | emotion. You will want to follow a detailed proven |
| your family safe at home until the disaster blows | | | | plan that works. In an urban crisis situation, for |
| over. Here are three tips on how to plan ahead, | | | | example, looters may be a problem, so decide |
| so your family has a survival edge in an | | | | what needs to be done first. This will include |
| emergency situation. | | | | securing the premises, boarding up windows, and |
| Start Stocking Up | | | | delegating this to a preassigned family member. |
| Set aside cash, even a small amount, for creating | | | | Keep a list of tasks handy along with all of the |
| an emergency stash. Once a week, or even once | | | | supplies you will need. |
| a month, buy survival gear or stock up on food | | | | Protection |
| stores that can go into your cache. Make sure | | | | Even if you live in an apartment, make sure you |
| each item is really useful in an emergency | | | | have vertical window guards to keep intruders |
| situation, and know how to use each piece. For | | | | and flying debris out of your home. Ensure your |
| food and water, figure out how much you will | | | | doors have heavy deadbolts, as many expensive |
| need per person, per day. On average, plan for | | | | security systems will not provide any protection if |
| about one gallon of water per day, per person for | | | | powerless during a natural disaster or emergency. |
| cooking, cleaning and drinking. | | | | Store all your valuables in a fire resistant, |
| Do not forget about other essential items, like | | | | waterproof safe, and consider one with a |
| personal hygiene products, toilet paper, soap and | | | | fingerprint reader instead of a combination lock. |
| medications. In an urban disaster, you will not be | | | | Keep a supply of basic building and repair materials |
| able to run out to the store for anything. You will | | | | around, in case you need to repair parts of your |
| also want a crank radio, flashlights, candles and an | | | | home that have been damaged, or reinforce your |
| ample supply of spare batteries and matches. | | | | windows for safety. |
| Other items to consider are water filters and | | | | These basic tips will help keep your family safe at |
| purification tablets, and ready made rations in | | | | home during a disaster or emergency, and |
| case you can not do any cooking. | | | | drastically increase your chances of survival. |