Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or 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. Therefore, the best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes.

These pages and the links at the bottom of this page contain tips that will assist you in making sure that you and your family are prepared for an emergency should one occur.

· Develop a disaster plan for your family.

· Have a telephone number of a relative or friend outside the area for all family members to call should you be separated. Make sure each family member has the contact's work and home telephone numbers and e-mail address, in case phone calls can't get through. Establish a family meeting place in another area of the city in case you have to evacuate.

· Learn basic First Aid.

· Make sure you locate and check your emergency preparedness kit to ensure there are fresh batteries, water, food, and First Aid kit. If you need to create a kit, make sure it has at least a 72-hour supply of water and food, a First Aid kit, fire extinguisher, flashlight, battery-operated radio, and extra batteries. It is also a good idea to include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports, and licenses).

· Know where fire exits and fire extinguishers are, at home, at work, or when traveling, and practice emergency evacuation procedures with your family.

· Know the emergency procedures at your child's school. Be sure to give your caregiver appropriate authorization to pick up your children if you are unable to do so.

· Stay calm and don't panic.

· Follow your emergency plan. Check for and treat injuries. (First Aid tips are in the white pages of your telephone book.)

· Check for damage, fires, gas leaks, and other hazards using a flashlight Don't light matches or candles. Don't turn on electrical switches, sparks could cause an explosion.

· Check on your neighbors. E-mail or call your family contact.

· Stay informed by listening to a battery-powered radio, and follow instructions issued by authorities.

· Don't call 911 unless you have a life and death emergency.