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 The American Red Cross recommends everyone take three simple actions to get better prepared for a variety of disasters:
- Get a kit: Build a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for at least three days.
- Make a plan: This includes a family communications plan and evacuation plan. Coordinate your plan with your child's school, your work and community communication plans. Practice this plan with your entire family.
- Be informed: Get to know the types of disasters that can happen in your community. Find out how local officials will contact you in a disaster.
Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by the lack of recent hurricanes. You should dust off your disaster kit, replace expired food, medication or dead batteries and update your family plan. If a hurricane does strike, the Red Cross will be there to provide help and relief. But, every day in America we empower people to get prepared for life's emergencies.
Every day in local communities, the Red Cross provides life saving blood products, as well as CPR, first aid, water safety classes and disaster preparedness information. Contact your local Red Cross chapter or visit www.redcross.org to learn more about how you can prepare for a hurricane or other disaster.
Get a Kit
There are basic items you should stock in an easy to grab container or bag that you would need during an evacuation or emergency situation:
- bottled water
- nonperishable food that does not require cooking or refrigeration
- manual can opener
- first aid supplies including medications
- flashlight with extra batteries
- hand-crank or battery-operated radio with extra batteries
- extra cash, copies of important documents
- specific items for family members with additional needs, such as children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
- Store items in a sturdy, sealable, easy-to-carry container.
You may purchase an Emergency Preparedness Kit with basic disaster supplies that you can add items to that will meet your specific needs. Emergency Preparedness Kits are available through our chapter office.
Make a Plan
Pick two places to meet:
- Right outside your home where you can escape in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
- Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home or are asked to evacuate during a disaster or other emergency.
Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. During or after a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance, especially if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your emergency contact person's phone number and email address.
Tell your family about the "Safe and Well" Web site accessible at all times via www.redcross.org. The Safe and Well Web site is an Internet-based tool that allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being. People within a disaster affected area are able to select and post standard "safe and well" messages. Concerned family members who know the person's phone number (home, cell, or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.
Plan your evacuation route. Use local maps and identify alternate evacuation routes from home, work and/or school. Know where you are going and how you plan to get there before you leave home.
Don't forget to plan how to take care of your pets.
An emergency contact card and other guidance for making a family communications plan and an evacuation plan are downloadable at RedCross.org and available at your local chapter.
Be Informed
Learn what disasters are likely to occur where you live, work and play.
Find out how local authorities will contact you during a disaster or other emergency. Listen to local radio, television or NOAA weather radio stations or channel when disaster threatens and follow the guidance of your local officials.
Take a First Aid and CPR/AED course so you will know how to respond to emergencies in the event that help is delayed.
The American Red Cross has prepared a list of FAQ for more information on this topic.
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