The best and most effective way to handle unexpected emergencies is to prepare for them before they happen.  

Disasters happen quickly and often without warning. They may confine you to your home, or force you to evacuate.  What would you do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones were not available?  

Local officials and relief workers are trained to respond to disasters, but cannot be everywhere at once.  It often takes days to reach everyone affected by an extreme event such as a flood, tornado, earthquake, or hurricane.  Don’t depend on others for your safety or survival.  There are three simple steps you can do right now to prepare yourself and your family for the unpredictable.

Step one:  Survival Kits.  

•    Store at least three days of food, water and emergency tools and supplies in your family's easy-to-carry preparedness kits.
•    Keep extra supplies on hand at home in case you cannot leave the affected area.
•    Keep your kit where it is easily accessible.
•    Remember to check your kit every six months and replace expired or outdated items.

All inclusive quality survival kits are inexpensive and last for years.  They are an easy option for having everything you might need, organized in one convenient place.

Step two:  Get informed

Know what your community response plan is to possible disasters.  How could you communicate if the phone lines were down?  Where are the closest medical facilities?  How could you respond to a medical emergency?  Know what the risk factors are in your region, and what the best way to minimize your risk.   

Step three:  Make a plan.

Know what your plan is before something happens.  You want to act, and not just react to what is happening.  All family members should know what to do, what to grab, and where to meet depending on the situation.  Evaluate possible scenarios, and discuss what you should do in each of the given situations.  Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to disaster.

A little bit of preparation is like having a personal insurance policy.  It is much better to have what you need and never have to use it, than be in need and be without it.