General emergency preparation

General information
Emergencies call for immediate action. You can take steps to help prepare for emergencies of all kinds, such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters. For example:
Be aware of what types of emergencies could occur where you live and plan appropriate reactions.

Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and take a course in first aid. Check with your local American Red Cross for details.

Clearly post local emergency services (including police, fire and ambulance) as well as poison control and local hospital phone numbers near the telephone. Include your doctor's name and number on the list. Make sure your children know how and when to contact emergency services. Also be familiar with local emergency medical provider locations.

Make sure your smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order. Check them monthly, and replace the batteries every year.

Plan fire escape routes from your home, and make sure every family member knows the routes and can use them safely. For fire safety, teach everyone in your family to not open a warm or smoking door, crawl to safety under smoke, and "stop, drop and roll" if they catch on fire.

Establish a safe place to go inside your home and two emergency meeting places outside your home for different types of emergencies. One "outside" meeting place should be nearby in the event of a fire and the other farther away, in case you can't reach your neighborhood in a disaster.

If you have children, find out ahead of time about the child care or school emergency plan. In the event of a disaster, ask if your children will remain where they are until you arrive or be sent home.

Establish a "family contact" who all family members can call if you're separated during a disaster. In some cases, remember that out-of-state contacts may be easier to reach by phone than local contacts.

Keep a list of all medications you and your family members take, along with the dosage. Keep at least two weeks' worth of prescription medications, as well as extra prescription eyeglasses on hand. Keep immunization records and a complete allergy list for each family member.

Keep instructions handy on how to turn off your home utilities, as well as the location of your electrical box, furnace switch, and water and gas valves.

Keep your lawn free of rotting or dead trees and branches. These items often cause injury or destruction during natural disasters.

First aid supplies
Keep a first aid kit readily available, but make sure all medications are out of children's reach. In addition to a home kit, keep a first aid kit in each car. Make sure each kit includes the following items:
adhesive, butterfly and elastic bandages in assorted sizes
antacids
antiseptic wipes
antibiotic ointment
antidiarrheal medication
antihistamine
antiseptic solution, such as rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
aspirin (to be used in the case of a heart attack, not to treat children or flu symptoms)
calamine lotion
cotton-tipped swabs
elastic bandage or wrap
eye patch
eye wash
first aid manual
flashlight
hydrocortisone cream
hypoallergenic adhesive tape
ice pack (instantly activated and disposable)
insect repellent
laxatives
pain/fever medication
petroleum jelly
rubber gloves (nonlatex if you or any family members have a latex allergy)
safety pins
scissors with rounded tips
sling
soap
sterile cotton balls or patches
sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
sterile needles and razor blades
sunscreen
syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal (Make sure to contact the local poison control center before using these medications.)
thermometer
tissues
tongue depressors
tweezers
It's also a good idea to include change for a pay phone in your car kit.


Emergency supplies
If you ever need to live under emergency conditions (after major earthquakes, tornadoes or severe storms with prolonged power outages), it's helpful to have emergency supplies on hand. You may want to pack the following items in large trash cans or other heavy-duty containers.
battery-operated radio, flashlight and clock
extra batteries
first aid kit
fire extinguisher
blanket or sleeping bag for each family member
bottled water (3 gallons per person)
foods that store well and do not require cooking (such as peanut butter, crackers, cereal, granola bars and canned foods)
manual can opener
mess kit or disposable plates and utensils
matches in a waterproof container
sturdy shoes or boots, rain gear and a change of clothing
basic personal hygiene supplies
toilet paper
plastic garbage bags and ties (for personal sanitation needs)
baby supplies, as needed (such as diapers, formula and bottles)
pet food, as needed
Check your emergency supplies periodically to make sure nothing is outdated. Also, make sure there's always gas and a map of the area in your vehicle, as well as an emergency supply of money. If you have a cell phone, be sure to keep its battery charged. You may also want to keep your important family documents or copies of these documents in a waterproof, fireproof, portable container for easy packing in case of evacuation.


Additional measures for specific disasters
Earthquakes
If you live in an area known for earthquakes, be familiar with state and local earthquake recommendations. Bolt tall furniture, such as bookcases, to wall studs. Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from seating areas and beds.

During an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on. If you're indoors, brace yourself against an inside wall or under sturdy furniture away from windows. Cover your eyes with one arm and hold on to something with the other. If you're in bed, protect your face with a pillow and hold on. Do not try to leave the building. If you're outdoors, avoid buildings, trees, overhead wires or elevated highways. If you're driving, stop the car and stay put.

After an earthquake, be careful around animals -- normally passive animals may become aggressive. Also, be alert for aftershocks. Drop, cover and hold on for each one. Do not return to buildings unless they have been unaffected or cleared for occupancy.

Floods
If you live in an area at risk for flooding, prepare a flood plan. Add rubber boots and gloves to your emergency supplies kit, and stock up on bottled water in case supplies become contaminated.

Be ready for the possibility of flooding if it rains hard for several hours or steadily for several days. Flash floods can develop in a few minutes or hours. Steady floods can develop within several hours or days. Listen to the radio or television for flood updates, and identify where you will go for shelter if you are told to evacuate. Be ready to leave on short notice. If you have time, move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. Fill containers, sinks and bathtubs with water, in case your supplies become contaminated. If you're told to leave, however, do so at once.

During a flood, head for higher ground -- avoid rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains. Don't walk through any flood water. If you're driving, don't go around safety barricades. Never drive into standing water. If your car should stall in rapidly rising water, leave it immediately and climb to higher ground.

Hurricanes
If you live in an area known for hurricanes, be familiar with local hurricane evacuation plans. If a hurricane watch is issued, listen continually to your radio or television for weather changes. Close your shutters or board up the windows. Bring outdoor objects that could blow away into the house. Fill your car with fuel and check your emergency supplies. Fill containers, sinks and bathtubs with water, in case supplies become contaminated.

If a hurricane warning is issued, stay inside, away from windows and glass, and avoid elevators. Evacuate mobile homes for safer shelter. Remember that when the calm "eye" of the hurricane passes, the worst part of the storm will follow. Tornadoes are also possible during or after a hurricane. If you're told to leave the area, do so at once.

Nuclear emergency
In the event of a nuclear emergency, three factors can minimize your radiation exposure:

Decrease the time you spend near the radiation.
Increase your distance from the radiation.
Increase your shielding from the radiation (through heavy, dense material, such as a wall).
Don't go outside, until instructed by authorities. If you're home, close and lock all doors and windows, close fireplace dampers, and turn off the furnace, air conditioner, vents and fans. If possible, go to the basement. Listen to your radio or television for further instructions. If you're told to leave the area, follow designated evacuation routes to shelters.

Terrorism
Terrorist attacks may take on many different forms. Being generally prepared for any type of emergency is your best preparation. If an act of terrorism occurs, listen to the radio or television and follow the advice of emergency officials. If you're instructed to evacuate, take your emergency supplies and follow specified routes to safety.

Thunderstorms
Here are some tips to help you weather a thunderstorm.

Avoid all electrical equipment, appliances or telephones. Lightning can follow the wires.

Avoid bathtubs, faucets and sinks. Metal pipes can transmit electricity. Also avoid bodies of water.

Do not stand under a single tree in an open area.

Stay way from natural lightning rods, such as golf clubs, umbrellas, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles or camping equipment.

If you are in a field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (a sign that lightning is about to strike), bend forward with your hands on your knees and crouch down. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Seek shelter immediately if you are outside and hear thunder. You may be close enough to be struck by lightning. If possible, get into a building or vehicle with closed windows that's parked away from trees or other objects that could fall. If that's not possible, look for a clump of short trees or crouch down (as described above).
Tornadoes
If you live in an area at risk for tornadoes, designate an area in your home for your family to gather if a tornado is approaching. Choose the basement or a center hallway, bathroom or closet that's on the lowest level of your home and away from windows. If you live in a mobile home, it is best to leave and find safer shelter. If you're outdoors when a tornado strikes, get inside a building. If there's no shelter nearby, lie in a ditch or other low-lying area. Use your arms to protect your head and neck. Don't try to outrun the tornado or remain in your car or other vehicle.

Winter storms
If you live in a cold climate, here are some tips to help you prepare for winter storms.

Be sure snow removal equipment is ready. Keep a supply of rock salt to melt ice and kitty litter for traction on icy sidewalks.

Have extra blankets and warm clothing readily available.

Have emergency heating equipment available, such as plenty of wood for a fireplace. A camping stove with fuel can be used for cooking. While you're heating or cooking, use a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector.

Insulate water pipes to protect them from freezing.
During a winter storm, avoid unnecessary travel and stay indoors as much as possible. Listen to the radio or television for frequent updates on changing weather conditions. If you must go outside, prevent heat loss by wearing a hat, mittens and several layers of lightweight clothing. Keep dry and avoid overexertion.


Pregnancy-specific information
Have an emergency plan in place in the event of any type of natural weather emergency, especially if you're within several weeks of your due date.

Considerations
Before helping someone in an emergency, make sure you're not endangering yourself or others. If possible, obtain consent. If the person is unable to give consent or under age 18, consent is implied. Nearly all states have Good Samaritan laws, which protect rescuers from legal action by the person being rescued as long as there is no willful misconduct that results in deliberate harm. Check with a local government or legal agency to learn the specific Good Samaritan rules that may apply in your own state.