Contacts - Review your contact list to make sure these individuals know your plans. Choose one or two contacts not in the disaster area where people can call in their locations if separated. It might be a friend, family, home office, or organization like the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.
Car - As soon as you get an official warning that you may have to evacuate for a disaster, fill up your car with gas and check your oil and tires. Make sure you have jumper cables, a jack and a spare tire.
Emergency Supply kit - Check your kit to make sure everything in it is working, charged, and up-to-date - cell phones, weather radio, flashlights, batteries, maps, identification, insurance cards, and other items.
Medications and medical equipment - Pack your prescription medications and other items such as aspirin and antacids in a plastic baby. Make sure you have at least a week's worth of medicine left. If not, try to get refills. Double check your medications list for you and your family to make sure that any new medicines are on it. Look to see that you have all necessary medical equipment and supplies.
Sanitation-related items include hand sanitizer, baby wipes, kleenex, toilet tissue, bleach, paper towels, plastic bags, rubber gloves, and boots.
Pets - Be sure to get your pet's food, medications, food and water bowls, cat litter, cages and collars with rabies tags and leashes. Call your vet or humane shelter or visit the Web sites in the back of this book for help with pets or other animals in a disaster.
Food and water - put food that does not have to be cooked or refrigerated in plastic bags. Include bottled water.
Clothing, bedding, eyeglasses and other personal items. If flooding may be a problem, put them in plastic bags to keep items dry. Do not forget money, cell phones, and phone chargers.
Utilities - Unplug small appliances. Leave your refrigerator plugged in unless there may be flooding. Check with your utility company about turning off your utilities properly if you have not already learned how.
Place things inside and outside the home in as secure a position as possible; board up windows if needed.
Contacts - Review your contact list to make sure these individuals know your plans. Choose one or two contacts not in the disaster area where people can call in their locations if separated. It might be a friend, family, home office, or organization like the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.
