What To Prepare For
Discuss the different ways to respond to the following disasters regardless of whether you are at home, work, or school.

• Natural Disaster (Fire, Flood, Hurricane, Tornado)
• Terrorist Event
• Major Public Health Emergency

Whom To Contact
Ask an out-of-state friend or relative to be your "family contact." Family members can call this person and identify where they are. It is easier to call long distance in an emergency.

Where To Meet

• Locate a safe room in your home for hurricane and tornado sheltering. In certain circumstances, the safest areas may not be in your home but within your community.
• Identify a meeting place near your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
• Determine a meeting place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.

Where To Stay

• Discuss the possibilities of evacuating the area or sheltering in place.
• Develop a plan for children in childcare or school, older adults, and other family members who need special assistance.
• Plan for the care of your pets. Shelters generally do not accept animals.
• If you have not been told to evacuate by local emergency officials, you should stay at home and listen for further instructions.
• Identify and locate the emergency public shelters in your area.

What To Do
Create an emergency preparedness kit and keep it in a safe place in your home. Make a smaller kit to keep in your car. Take first aid, CPR, and disaster preparedness classes.