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American Red Cross

Preparedness: An everyday task for everyday life

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial at home, school, work and in your community.

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity or telephones – were cut off?

Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. The best way to make you and your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. We encourage you to:

Get a Kit

Make a Plan

Be Informed - American Red Cross Preparedness Classes

Straight talk from the Red Cross. Take a moment and listen to some simple, down-to-earth advice on how you and your family can become safer, healthier and more resilient in the face of an emergency.

Get a Kit
Build a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days. Remember to check your kit every six months.

Make a Plan
Make a family communications plan that includes an evacuation plan and coordinates with your school, work and community communication plans. Practice this plan with your entire family.
Be Informed

Know what may happen and how you can help

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play and how they can affect you, your family and community

Identify how authorities will notify you and how you will get important information

Learn what you can do to prepare by contacting your local chapter of the American Red Cross to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster training

Share what you have learned
Download the award-winning Masters of Disaster® disaster preparedness curriculum, which is designed to teach children how to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other emergencies.

TIP of the Month
Talk with your family about disasters that can happen where you live. Talk with your family about why you need to prepare for these events. Calmly explain the potential dangers, and plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Make sure every family member knows their particular responsibilities. Designate an alternate in case a person is not there at the time.

Prepare Your Home for Disasters

Prepare your home

Using Fire Extinguisher

Shutting Off Your Gas

Shutting Off Water

Shutting Off Electricity

Perform a home hazard hunt

Tips when looking for a new home

Prepare your house, manufactured home or apartment for:

FIRES
Check smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. If you must use a portable space heater, do NOT use near flammable objects such as curtains or furniture
FLOODS
Make sure the electric panel/fuse box is elevated above previous flood levels. Make sure the furnace, water heater, washer, dryer and other items in the basement are located off the floor and elevated above previous flood levels.
TORNADOS
Go to a tornado safe room, if you have one, or to a room at the lowest level of your home, preferably in the center of the home (such as a bathroom or a closet). If you live in a mobile home park, be prepared to leave your home and go to a sturdy, well built building.
HURRICANES
Have enough hurricane shutters or pre-cut plywood on hand to cover all windows and doors. Manufactured (mobile) homes, especially in areas where high winds occur, should be strapped or tied down to a foundation with cables or chains.
EARTHQUAKES
Bolt tall furniture like bookcases and china cabinets to wall studs. Strap water heaters to wall studs. Install strong latches on cupboards. Have everyone in your home practice how to DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON.
Remember to...

Obtain hazard specific homeowners insurance to cover your contents and structure or renters insurance to cover your contents.

Maintain a battery operated radio and a NOAA Weather Radio.

Prepare a family disaster supplies kit and keep it current and handy.

Develop a family evacuation plan and practice it once a year.

Pay attention to all emergency warnings — follow directions and evacuate your residence when advised to do so.

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