Homeland Security > H.A.N.D.S.S. > Prepare at Home

Being prepared for an emergency before disaster strikes involves learning as much as you can and making plans to act. Reading this booklet and following the tips you will receive is a good start. Continue to educate yourself by keeping up with current events.

General Emergency Preparedness

• Make a list of local emergency services numbers.
• Make copies of the cards in the back of this booklet for yourself and family
  members. Keep a copy by the phone and in each family member's wallet.
• Write down family contact information.
  Make copies of the cards in the back of this booklet and fill in family contact
  information. Keep one copy by the phone. Provide one for each family
  member.
• Make a neighborhood directory and plan .
  Include emergency contact information and plans for children and seniors
  who may be home alone during emergency situations. Identify neighbors who
  need additional help, such as young children, seniors and those with
  disabilities and develop a plan to assist them in an emergency.
• Make your house easy to find.
  Make sure your street address number is large and well lighted so that
  emergency personnel can find your home quickly. Consider posting your
  address on the back of your home.
• Organize a "HOME DISASTER SUPPLY KIT."
  You may be asked to "shelter in place" for one or more days. Prepare a
  home disaster supply kit that you can organize quickly. Store items in easy to
  carry containers such as a backpack or duffle bag. Check batteries, change
  the stored water and rotate the food supplies every six months.
• Organize a separate "BUG-OUT KIT."
  Include items that you would need if you were asked to "evacuate" your
  home. In such an instance, you do not need to include water or food-related
  items (unless you have special dietary needs). Do include extra clothing,
  cash, credit cards, prescriptions, eye glasses and personal items.

• Develop and practice home evacuation plan.Know what to do if you are instructed to evacuate your home or community.Every child and other member of your family should know at least two ways (if possible) to get out of your home in case of fire or other emergency. If
  you live in an apartment, know the evacuation plan. Agree on a place
  nearby to meet once everyone gets out.
• Plan how to take care of your pets.
  Remember that with the exception of guide dogs, shelters usually do not
  allow pets.
• Learn to shut off utilities such as electric, water and propane.

Home Disaster Supply Kit

• 3-5 day supply of water at one gallon per person per day.
• Food that will not spoil and does not require cooking.
• A non-electric can opener.
• First-aid kit and needed medicines.
• Emergency tools including a battery operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries.
• Personal items such as toilet tissue and plastic trash bags.
• Change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.
• Blankets or sleeping bag.
• An extra pair of glasses.
• An extra set of keys.
• Candles and lighters.
• Special items for infants, elderly and disabled family.
• List of family physicians & emergency contacts.
• Separate "Bug-Out Kit."
• Have credit cards, cash and a portable phone readily available.

The next time a disaster strikes, you may not have much time to act. Prepare now for a sudden emergency. For help preparing an escape plan for your home - check this internet site: http://www.fema.gov/pdf/epc-all.pdf

Need help preparing a family Disaster Recovery Plan? It is all laid out for you at: http://www.idc-tx.com