Preparedness

Are you prepared for an emergency? Every persons' needs, abilities, and circumstances are different, but everyone can plan for the worst. You can evaluate your household's needs and develop a plan should an emergency occur.

Preparing for an Emergency

• Consider the needs of your household and how a disaster might affect you and your family.
• Identify your immediate needs, like medications, specialty care items, diapers, forumla, etc.
• Plan to be isolated from resources, at least for a short time.
• Have a weather-proof container for your important personal documents, like your birth certificate, social security card, passports, and healthcare records.
• Build an emergency kit, or "go bag" that contains the necessities and is readily available. It should have the things you need for at least three days.
• Choose a meeting point should you or your family get separated.

Resources

Create an Emergency Family Communications Plan - IDHS
Disaster Kit Tips - IDHS
Emergency Contact Card - American Red Cross
12 Ways to Prepare - Ready.gov