Information from the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) 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. The American Red Cross encourages you to: 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. 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. 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.To find out more about preparing for emergencies such as:blackouts, chemical emergencies, drought, earthquakes, fires, floods, heat waves, hurricanes, mudslides, terrorism, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tsunami, volcanoes, wild fires and winter storms, go to http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_239_,00.html