Tips for Staying Safe in Any Kind of Disaster

September is National Preparedness Month. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and more than 2,700 national, regional, state and local authorities are teaming up to educate the public on steps they can take to stay safe in any emergency.

Whether you'd like to be prepared for the next Hurricane Katrina or just want to stay safe if your car breaks down in a remote area, here area few ways you can better prepare for natural and manmade disasters.

1. Create a disaster plan.

Sit down with your family, roommates or even by yourself, and craft an emergency plan for every possible disaster in your area. Live in Kansas? Make sure you know what to do in case of a tornado. Your home is in a heavily forested area? Wildfires are likely something you should plan for.

Disaster plans should include two meeting places - one near your home for situations like house fires, and one outside the neighborhood in case of a major disaster or evacuation. An out-of-state friend should also be enlisted as a check-in contact for everyone.

2. Outfit your home for an emergency.

Post emergency numbers - the police and fire departments, poison control - near each phone in the house. Create a 72-hour emergency supply kit that contains food and other goods to last each person in the household for three days. The kit should contain basic essentials such as water (experts recommend one gallon of water, per person, per day), non-perishable foods, such as canned goods and peanut butter, and emergency bedding and clothing, like heavy blankets, hats, gloves and sturdy shoes. Kits should also be tailored for individual needs. Have an elderly person in the house? A baby? Someone with disabilities? Be sure you have enough of any special requirements they may need to last three days.

Re-think the supplies in your kit at least once a year and replace items as needed. Food and water supplies should generally be replaced every six months.

3. Create first aid kits for your home and each car.

Fill a shoebox or other container with essentials in case of a medical emergency or a breakdown. Experts recommend including items such as bandages, scissors, gauze and disinfectant. Other items that are good to keep in the car include blankets, a battery-powered radio and a flashlight.

4. Educate yourself.

If possible, take an emergency preparedness class. Many city and county governments offer courses that teach citizens how to prepare for natural and manmade disasters, going over topics such as how to turn off your house's gas and water valves or what agency to call in case of an emergency. Many local governments also distribute booklets containing similar information.

First Aid and CPR are also good skills to know in case of an emergency. Check with nonprofits, such as the Red Cross, for classes in your area.

SOURCES:

www.fema.gov/areyouready

www.ready.gov