Below are 3 Actions you should take to be prepared in emergencies.

Get a Kit.

Have at least three days of supplies in an easy to carry evacuation kit with additional supplies on hand.  Remember to check your kit and replace the stock every six months.

Your kit should include:

• Map
• Food
• Flashlight
• Medications
• Radio
• Tools
• Personal items
• Sanitary supplies
• Money
• Contact information
• Pet supplies

For a detailed list of items you should include in your disaster kit, click here to download and print a checklist

Store your disaster supplies in sturdy yet easy-to-carry containers, in a place that is easily accessible. Keep a smaller version of the kit in your vehicle. If you become stranded or are not able to return home, having some items with you will help you be more comfortable until help arrives.

Make a Plan.

Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to disaster.

Talk. Discuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternates in case someone is absent. If a family member is in the military, also plan for how you would respond if they are deployed. Include the local military base resources that may be available.

Plan. Choose two places to meet after a disaster:

• Right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.

Learn. Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Ask your local fire department to show you how to use a fire extinguisher.

Tell everyone in the household where emergency information and supplies are kept. Make copies of the information for everyone to carry with them. Keep the information updated.

Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked.

Include your pets. If you must evacuate, take your animals with you. If it is not safe for you to remain, it is not safe for them.

Be Informed.

Know what may happen and how you can help.

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play.

Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information.

Learn what you can do to prepare for disasters by contacting your local Red Cross chapter to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster training.

Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed too.

What’s in your wallet? Be sure to include an American Red Cross Emergency Contact Card. (Download and print a contact card)

Join other members of your community through the American Red Cross in taking these first steps. You never know how many people your actions will affect, how many lives you might change.

Need a checklist? Print Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit.

There are six basics you should stock in your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container-suggested items are marked with an asterisk (*). Possible containers include:

• a large, covered trash container
• a camping backpack
• a duffle bag

Water: Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.

❑ Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)*
❑ Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household.

Food: Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. *Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

❑ Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
❑ Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
❑ Staples – sugar, salt, pepper
❑ High energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granloa bars, trail mix
❑ Vitamins
❑ Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets
❑ Comfort/stress foods – cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags

First Aid Kit: Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:

❑ Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
❑ 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
❑ 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
❑ Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
❑ Triangular bandages (3)
❑ 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
❑ 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
❑ Scissors
❑ Tweezers
❑ Needle
❑ Moistened towelettes
❑ Antiseptic
❑ Thermometer
❑ Tongue blades (2)
❑ Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
❑ Assorted sizes of safety pins
❑ Cleansing agent/soap
❑ Latex gloves (2 pair)
❑ Sunscreen

Non-prescription drugs

❑ Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
❑ Anti-diarrhea medication
❑ Antacid (for stomach upset)
❑ Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
❑ Laxative
❑ Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

❑ Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils*
❑ Emergency preparedness manual*
❑ Battery operated radio and extra batteries*
❑ Flashlight and extra batteries*
❑ Cash or traveler’s checks, change*
❑ Non-electric can opener,utility knife*
❑ Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
❑ Tube tent
❑ Pliers
❑ Tape
❑ Compass
❑ Matches in a waterproof container
❑ Aluminum foil
❑ Plastic storage containers
❑ Signal flare
❑ Paper, pencil
❑ Needles, thread
❑ Medicine dropper
❑ Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
❑ Whistle
❑ Plastic sheeting
❑ Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation

❑ Toilet paper, towelettes*
❑ Soap, liquid detergent*
❑ Feminine supplies*
❑ Personal hygiene items*
❑ Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation ases)
❑ Plastic bucket with tight lid
❑ Disinfectant
❑ Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding: Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

❑ Sturdy shoes or work boots*
❑ Rain gear*
❑ Blankets or sleeping bags*
❑ Hat and gloves
❑ Thermal underwear
❑ Sunglasses

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

For Baby*
❑ Formula
❑ Diapers
❑ Bottles
❑ Powdered milk
❑ Medications

For Adults*

❑ Heart and high blood pressure medication
❑ Insulin
❑ Prescription drugs
❑ Denture needs
❑ Contact lenses and supplies
❑ Extra eye glasses
❑ Entertainment
❑ Important Family Documents

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.

• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)