Be prepared for all natural disasters that occur in your area. Know emergency plan (including evacuation route) for your community, your business, your children's school or daycare. Keep your checklist handy.

Create an emergency plan for your household.

• Meet with household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies. Explain how to respond to each.
• Identify the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
• Discuss what to do about power outages.
• Discuss what to do about personal injuries.
• Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.
• Show family members how to turn off water, gas, and electricity at main switches when necessary.
• Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.
• Teach children how and when to call 911, police, and fire.
• Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.
• Designate 1 out-of-state and 1 local friend or relative for family members to call if separated during a disaster. (During emergencies, it is often easier to call out of state than within affected areas.)
• Teach children your out-of-state and local contact's phone numbers.
• Pick 2 emergency meeting places. 1) A place near your home in case of fire. 2) A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.
• Take a basic first aid and CPR course.
• Keep family records in a water- and fire-proof containers.

In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break, or cause a fire is a potential hazard.

• Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
• Fasten shelves securely and brace overhead light fixtures.
• Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Hang pictures and mirrors away from bed.
• Strap water heater to wall studs.
• Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
• Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products away from heat sources.
• Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
• Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors, and gas vents.

If you need to evacuate, do the following:

• Listen to a battery-powered radio for the location of emergency shelters. Follow instructions of local officials.
• Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Take your Emergency Supplies Kit.
• Lock your house (doors and windows).
• Use travel routes specified by local officials.

If you are sure that you have time, do the following:

• Shut off water, gas, and electricity at main switches, if instructed to do so.
• Notify your emergency contacts, telling them when you are leaving and where you are going.
• Make arrangements for pets. Animals may not be allowed in public shelters.

Prepare a disaster supplies kit to keep at home. Assemble supplies that you might need at home during a natural disaster, or in case you must evacuate. Store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack or duffle bag. Include the following:

• A supply of water (one gallon per person, per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Mark the storage date on container, and replace every six months.
• A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food, and a non-electric can opener and bottle opener.
• A change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes for each family member.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• A first aid kit and prescription medications (such as inhalers).
• An extra pair of eyeglasses, hearing aid (and batteries), if required.
• A battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra (fresh) batteries.
• Credit cards and cash.
• An extra set of car keys.
• A list of family physicians.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members. Also, provisions for your pets.
• A list of important family information: style & serial number of medical devices (such as pacemaker, hearing aid); both prescription and allergic medications; emergency phone numbers; etc.

Prepare an automobile emergency kit to include the following:

• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra (fresh) batteries.
• Blanket or sleeping bag.
• Booster cables.
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• First aid kit and manual.
• Bottled water and non-perishable, high-energy foods -- such as granola bars, raisins, and peanut butter. A small cooler makes an ideal storage container.
• Maps, shovel, flares.
• Rope.
• Tire repair kit and pump.

For more information about natural disaster preparedness, survival, and relief, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.