Preparedness:  An everyday task for everyday life

  Being prepared for emergencies is crucial at home, school, work and in your community.

     Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can 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.  Therefore, the best way to make you and your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. We encourage you to:

Make a Plan

Get a Kit 

Be Informed

Prepare at Your Home

    In the midst of rushing through everyday life, it's important to take a minute or two to prepare for emergencies. Being prepared helps you and your family minimize the impact of a disaster such as a hurricane or an emergency such as a broken leg.

    The best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes.

Make a Plan

Make a family communications plan that includes an evacuation plan and coordinates with your school, work and community communication plans. Practice this plan with your entire family.

Get a Kit

Build a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. Remember to check your kit every six months.

Be Informed

Know what may happen and how you can help learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play and how they can affect you, your family and community.

Identify how authorities will notify you and how you will get important information.

Learn what you can do to prepare by obtaining first aid, CPR and disaster training.

Share what you have learned.

Prepare at Work

Whether you are a business owner, a manager or an employee, make sure you know what to do in the case of an emergency.

If you commute to work, make sure you know alternative routes and carry appropriate supplies such as a disaster supplies kit in your car and a compact kit on public transportation.

The best way to make sure you and your place of business is safe is to be prepared before disaster strikes.

Prepare in Your Community 

   Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could plan for a disaster. If you're a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity.

Know your neighbors' special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons.

Help your community:

• Get trained in first aid, CPR and other courses
• Read the Community Disaster Education materials
• Volunteer
• Give Blood