1. Contact your local American Red Cross or Office of Emergency Management

• Find out which disasters are most likely to affect your community
• Find out how to prepare your home and yourself for each type of disaster
• Find out how you will be warned or advised of emergency information.
• Learn CPR and First Aid

2. If you have children contact their school or day care and find out what their plans are in the event of a disaster and how to reunite with your children.

3. Meet with your family

• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur
• Discuss how to prepare and respond to each disaster
• Discuss how to evacuate every room in your home
• Decide where to meet if you cannot get home
• Decide on who to use as an out-of-area contact
• Discuss emergency supplies
• Practice what you have discussed

4. Survey your house with your family

• Post emergency contac t numbers by each phone
• Learn and practice how to shut off water, gas, and electricity at the mains
• Install smoke detectors on each floor of your house, especially in bedrooms. Check them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
• Move heavy objects to lower shelves
• Secure tall furniture and pictures to wall studs
• Strap water heater to wall studs

5. Buy and store emergency supplies

6. Meet with your neighbors.

• Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster.
• Consider how you could help your neighbors who have special needs.
• Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home.