Is Your Family Prepared? It is every person's responsibility to prepare themselves for a disaster - nobody else will do it for you! Whether caused by mother nature or man-made, disasters come in all shapes and sizes and threaten us all. Most people share the "it won't happen to me" syndrome, and neglect taking a few extra steps to ensure their family's welfare and safety in a disaster situation. When you join the ranks of the 'prepared', you make your community, your Country, and most importantly your family, more safe and secure. Be sure to read our Plan & Prepare Checklist below!

What To Prepare For? Anything and everything! Natural disasters such as Hurricanes, Earthquakes, and Blizzards are regional and may potentially affect you. Other disasters such as fire, severe storms, and flooding can affect nearly everybody. In today's world, the need to be prepared for disasters and emergencies is of absolute importance. The always present threat of natural disasters, such as floods, earthquake, or hurricane have always been with us. Add the escalating threat of terrorism - both in the form of deadly bombs and the potential to have your water or power supply interrupted, and it's easy to recognize the need to be prepared!

Preparing for a disaster isn't as overwhelming as you may think. Take the time to read through and complete the steps below! Create an Emergency Plan □ Meet with household members and discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur. □ Draw a basic floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room. □ Learn how to turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. □ Post emergency telephone numbers near phones. □ Teach children how and when to call 911 and other emergency numbers. □ Decide on one out-of-state friend or relative for family members to call if separated by a disaster. □ Decide on two emergency meeting places: A place near your home in case of a fire, and a place outside of your neighborhood or city in case you cannot return home after a disaster It's also important for parents to learn about the emergency plans of their child's school or day care. Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit This is where we come in! While a 72-hour kit is essential, it is recommended that you be prepared to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 7-10 days. If needed, start with a three-day kit and add to it when you are able. Our supply kits are put together with care and stored in a backpack with ample room for some important additional items, listed below, that must be added by you (for obvious reasons). When you receive one of our supply kits, take some time to include these very important additions: □ A change of clothing and sturdy shoes □ Extra pair of glasses, if needed □ Cash! Add a small wallet of extra cash and credit card(s) □ Extra set of car keys □ Extra prescription medication to last at least two weeks □ A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices, such as pacemakers, and a list of family physicians □ Phone numbers of child's school and work locations □ Extra sets of special items required for infants, elderly, or disabled family members Adding these applicable extras will make a world of difference if and when you find yourself relying on your disaster kit! Finally, place your disaster kit(s) in a convenient location where they can be quickly grabbed if rushing out of the house, such as the front closet. Discuss with your household the location of the emergency kit(s) and when they should be used. Helpful Resources and Links ReadyAmerica: Here you will find the U.S. Department of Homeland Security page that touches on basic information regarding the ingredients of a disaster kit, how to make a plan, and what to do in the event of a disaster. In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness: For a more detailed guide of emergency preperations and reactions, the FEMA page features an easy to follow outline, and a 204-page, comprehensive downloadable Guide.