WHY SHOULD I PREPARE?

Everyone should have a plan.

Disasters come in many forms; explosions, hurricanes, tornadoes, and others. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany these disasters. Individuals, families, and communities should know what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a tornado. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare makes any crisis more manageable. 

START PREPARING TODAY

Take these three simple steps to prepare --

Get a Kit - Assemble a collection of first aid supplies, food, water, medicines, and important papers that can sustain you and your family until the emergency passes.

Make a Plan - You and your family members may not be together when an emergency strikes. Planning ahead will improve your chances of keeping in touch, staying safe, and quickly reuniting.

Be Prepared - Anticipate emergencies most likely to affect you and your family. This guide will help you think through the basics of preparing yourself and your family for all hazards.

For more information about preparing for, responding to and mitigating emergencies and disasters, visit Ready.gov.

Before an emergency happens, be sure to sit down with your family and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Write down where your family spends the most time, such as work, school, and other places you frequent. Schools, daycare providers, workplaces, and apartment buildings should all have site-specific emergency plans that you and your family need to know about. Additionally, your family plan should address the following:

• Escape Routes
• Family Communications
• Utility Shut-off and Safety
• Insurance and Vital Records
• The Elderly and People with Special Needs
• Safety Skills
• Caring for Animals
• Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit