EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet you needs for at least three days.  Assemble a disaster supplies kit with itmes you may need in an evacuation.  Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-cary containers such as back-packs, duffle bags or covered trash containers.

Include:
A three day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
one change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
Sanitation supplies.
Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
An extra pair of glasses.

Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.  Keep a smaller kit in the truck of your car.

UTILITIES
Locate the main electric fuse box, water servicce main and natural gas main.  Learn how and when to turn these utilities of.  Teach all responsible family members.  Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so.  If you turn the gas of, you sill need a professional to turn it back off.

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4 Steps to Safety

Find Out What Could Happen to You
Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross Chapter -- be prepared to take notes:
Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen.  Request information on how to prepare for each. Find out how to help elderly or disable persons, if needed.
Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them. Next, find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children's school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time
Ask about animal care after disaster.  Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.

Create a Disaster Plan
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster.  Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children.  Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen.  Explain what to do in each case. Discuss what to do in an evacuation.  Plan how to take care of your pets.
Pick two places o met:
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home.  Everyone must know the address and phone number.		 Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact."  After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance.  Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are.  Everyone must know your contact's phone number.