When a disaster occurs, you must be prepared because certain essential items like food and water may be difficult to obtain. Use the following tips as a guide to help you prepare before a calamity strikes.

Determine the Disasters You May Face

The type and severity of disasters depend upon where you live. Some geographical locations are more susceptible to natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and severe blizzards. Plane crashes, train derailments and hazardous material spills are possible if you live near an airfield, railroad tracks or a chemical plant. The Red Cross and your local emergency management agency can help you appreciate the risks in your area as well as the assistance these organizations will provide if a disaster occurs. Understanding the potential hazards and assistance that you may receive will help you to develop a comprehensive family emergency plan.

Maintain an Information Network

In addition to monitoring emergency messages, your emergency plan must also include a communication system for family members. You should have at least three ways to track disaster warnings. These may include the Emergency Broadcast System, an outside warning siren and alerts to your cellphone or computer. Text and email alerts are often provided free of charge. Ensure that you have a secondary power source like a generator or extra batteries to power your television or radio. Someone in another area can serve as the person who family members can call to inform everyone that they are safe and well.

Related Resource: Using Social Media as a Crisis Management Tool

Build a Disaster Kit

A disaster kit should include items that you will need for up to three days. In addition to medications, critical items include first-aid supplies, a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a flashlight. You should also include additional batteries and bottled water as well as provisions like energy bars and canned snack-size fruits, which are easy to eat and do not require preparation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Pack essential baby and pet supplies if you have infants or companion animals.

Stock Supplies

If you face the possibility of a severe, prolonged disaster and do not have another location out of the affected area in which to reside, you should consider stockpiling supplies like dehydrated or nonperishable survival food similar to the military’s prepackaged Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE). You may also need alternate shelter like a tent and sleeping bags as well as clothing for various types of weather. Based on where you live, you may need cold or wet weather gear like long underwear or a poncho. Be prepared to dress in layers so that you can add or remove clothing as necessary.

Protect Important Documents

You should store important documents in a water-resistant, fireproof box. These papers include birth and marriage certificates, Social Security cards, home and vehicle ownership records as well as life, medical and property insurance policies. The box can also safeguard family heirlooms and other irreplaceable keepsakes along with some cash in small bills and coins in case ATMs or credit card terminals do not work. You may want to consider creating digital copies of documents, medical records, photos and other files that can be stored off-site in the cloud. The redundant storage system will make it easier to retrieve essential documents.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Having a written family emergency plan will make it easier for your loved ones to survive the aftermath of disaster.