Disasters can happen at any time. They can be natural (like tornadoes or hurricanes) or can be human-made (like chemical or biological attacks).

Taking precautions and planning can help better prepare you and your family in case a disaster strikes. And you'll be able to cope during the emergency until help arrives.

Preparing Your Family

• Take photos or a video of your property and belongings.  Store in a water-proof / fire-proof container. These can later be used for insurance purposes.
• Post emergency phone numbers next to all telephones.
• Know what disasters are most likely to happen in your community and how to prepare for each one.
• Know what form the warning will take (radio, TV, siren, etc.).
• Discuss this with your family.
• Plan how your family will stay in contact in case you get separated.
• Pick a meeting place in case your home can't be reached.
• Arrange an out-of-state friend or family member to act as your telephone contact, in case local phone links are disrupted.
• Know how to disconnect / switch off all utilities.
• Install smoke detectors and inspect / test them regularly.
• Take a first aid course.
• Make plans for anyone in your family with special needs: an infant, senior or person with disabilities.
• Make plans for your pets.
• Keep a full tank of gas—especially in cold weather.
• Prepare a disaster supplies kit and keep it up-to-date by changing batteries regularly and rotating food and water supplies.

Impending Disaster Steps

• Be prepared to evacuate immediately after the order is issued.  With a tornado, you only have a matter of seconds.  You should not return to the area until the announcement is given that it is safe to do so.
• If safe to do so, secure outdoor furniture and other items that could be lifted by wind.
• Depending on the type of disaster, board all windows and reinforce doors.
• When evacuating your home, turn off gas and electricity.
• If you leave your pets, leave plenty of food and water.  Arrange your heavy furniture to give them a safe place to hide if the roof or other structure collapses.
• If you remain in your home, sterilize bathtub with bleach, rinse thoroughly and fill with water.

Ongoing Preparedness Measures

• Maintain your home in good repair.
• Remove dead branches from trees and keep shrubs trimmed.
• Keep material on hand for boarding windows and reinforcing doors.
• Save plastic milk jugs.  Clean them and store at least three per family member.
• Keep your car in reliable working condition.  DO NOT store cans of gas in your home or car.
• Review your insurance coverage and check to make sure you're covered for wind, flood, water and other disaster-related hazards.
• Take photos of your property and belongings.
• Make sure all family members have current immunizations.  Also, keep your pets up-to-date on shots.

Source: United Way Crisis Preparedness and Response, 701 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, 703-836-7112