Disasters can strike at a moment's notice so being prepared before they occur is an important step in ensuring the safety of you and your family.

• Create a household disaster plan.
• Prepare first aid kits for the home and for each vehicle.
• Create an emergency supply kit or grab-and-go bag.
• Keep important papers in a fire-resistant carrying case and bring it with you in case of an emergency.
• Create a roadside emergency kit for each automobile (breaking down while evacuating could leave you and your family in worse shape than if you had simply done nothing).

Household Disaster Plan

• As a family, decide on two places to meet in case an emergency occurs in or near your home (one should be near your home; the other, outside of the neighborhood).
• Pick two out-of-town contacts (family, family friends) for the family to contact in case you become separated.
• Prepare a checklist of important phone numbers, addresses, and contacts.
• Develop a 'shelter in place" strategy in the event that evacuation is not an option.
• Prepare an evacuation strategy for different types of disasters that may occur in your area. Practice each strategy with your family several times a year.
• Train all able-bodied family members in the use of CPR, fire extinguishers, and common first-aid procedures.
• Ensure your yard is prepared for a disaster by trimming branches, replacing gravel or rock landscaping with light-weight mulch, and checking for fire hazards.
• Purchase a battery-operated radio or NOAA weather radio in case power is lost during a disaster.

Recommended Supplies for First Aid Kit

• A first aid manual
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Cleansing agents such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, soap, antibiotic ointments
• Several pairs of latex gloves
• Petroleum jelly
• Cotton Balls
• Tweezers, needles, scissors
• Moistened towelettes or baby wipes
• Sunscreen
• Thermometer.

Recommended Emergency Kit Supplies

• Prescription medications
• Cash, traveler's checks, and loose change
• A sleeping bag, blanket, and pillow for each family member. Keep additional blankets handy if you live in a cold-weather climate
• At least one additional change of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, pants, durable shoes, and gloves
• A bottle of chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper can be used to create a disinfectant, or even drinking water if no other options are available. For a disinfectant, combine nine parts water to one part bleach. To treat water, add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Avoid scented or color-safe bleaches.
• A fire extinguisher
• Waterproof matches and a lighter
• Personal hygiene items
• Paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils, and paper towels
• Paper, pens and pencils; books, magazines, videos, games, and puzzles
• Batteries of various sizes and types
• If you have pets, keep extra food and medicines on-hand. Also, have a travel crate ready for each pet in case you must evacuate your home.
• A pocket knife, whistle
• Dusk mask
• Local maps.

Recommended Food for Emergency Supply Kit

• Dried meats (a good source of protein)
• Canned fish and meat
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Whole grain crackers (can be used in place of bread)
• Nuts, granola bars, and/or dry cereals
• Juice boxes
• Electrolyte drinks
• Enough water to sustain each family member for 72 hours
• A bottle of multivitamins
• A manual can opener
• An assortment of Ziploc bags, Tupperware, and a roll of tinfoil
• A small camping stove or grill that can be used for cooking.

Grab-and-Go Box
Important papers that should be kept in a fireproof, waterproof container include:

• Copies of all insurance policies, wills, deeds, tax returns, driver's licenses, credit cards, automobile titles, and bank records
• Copies of utility bills which can be used to prove or establish residency
• Family records such as Social Security cards, passports, as well as birth and marriage certificates
• List of medical contacts, including family physicians, hospitals, and other medical service providers. It is also a good idea to keep a list of medical conditions, allergies, and drug prescriptions.
• For pet owners, keep vaccination and veterinary records, along with up-to-date photos of your pet can assist in locating them if you are separated.
• An inventory of valuable household goods can be helpful when filing insurance claims.
• A list of phone numbers and addresses of relatives and friends.

Recommended Supplies for Roadside Emergency Kit

• Jumper cables
• Flares
• Several quarts of oil
• Antifreeze
• Spare fuses
• A flashlight and extra batteries
• A small tool box
• A can of tire inflator
• Tire pressure gauge.

A Selected Bibliography Related to Disaster-Preparedness

Books on Disaster Preparedness

98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin, published by Gibbs Smith, 2003. LC Call Number: GV200.5.L86

Army Medical Strategy: Issues for the Future by Gary Cecchine, et al., published by RAND, 2001. LC Call Number: UH223.A76

Chronicles of Katrina: Lessons Learned from the Hurricane Katrina Disaster for your Home Preparedness Planning by Steven J. Craig, published by Outskirts Press, Inc., 2007. LC Call Number: QC945.C73

Disasters and the Law: Katrina and Beyond by Daniel A. Farber and Jim Chen, published by Aspen Publishers, 2006. LC Call Number: KF3750 .F37

Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared, Special Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, Washington, D.C., 2006. LC Call Number: Y1.1/5:109-322

Lessons Learned: Successes Achieved Be Prepared for a Disaster by Robert G. Gillio, M.D. and Evangeline Franklin, M.D., M.P.H., published by iUniverse, Inc., 2007. LC Call Number: HV636 2005.G85 G55

Methods & Actions for Improving Performance of the Department of Defense Disability Evaluation System by Cheryl Y. Marcum, et al., published by RAND 2002. LC Call Number: UB333.M48

On Risk and Disaster: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina, by Ronald Daniels, Donald Kettl, and Howard Kunreuther, published by University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006. LC Call Number: HV551.3.O5

Protecting Emergency Responders vol. 3: Safety Management in Disaster and Terrorism Response, by Brian A. Jackson, et al., published by RAND, 2003. LC Call Number: HV551.3.P76

Protecting the Homeland: Insights from Army War Games by Richard Brennan, published by RAND, 2002. LC Call Number: UA23.B7823

Results That Matter: Improving Communities by Engaging Citizens, Measuring Performance and Getting Things Done by Paul D. Epstein, et al., published by Jossey-Bass, 2006. LC Call Number: JS303.5.R47

Seeds of Disaster, Roots of Response: How Private Action Can Reduce Public Vulnerability by Philip E. Auerswald, et al., published by Cambridge University Press, 2006. LC Call Number: HV551.2.S44

The Children Hurricane Katrina Left Behind: Schooling Context, Professional Preparation, and Community Politics by Sharon P. Robinson & M. Christopher Brown II, published by Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., 2007. LC Call Number: LC2771.C45

The Storm Gourmet: A Guide to Creating Extraordinary Meals Without Electricity by Daphne Nikolopoulos, published by Pineapple Press, 2005. LC Call Number: TX821.N55

The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes and Why by Amanda Ripley, published by Crown Publishers, 2008. LC Call Number: BF698.35.R47 R57

When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need to Survive When Disaster Strikes by Lundin, Cody, published by G. Smith, 2007. LC Call Number: HV551.3.L86 2007