Make a Kit

Have at least three days of supplies in an easy to carry evacuation kit with additional supplies on hand.  Remember to check your kit and replace the stock every six months.

Your kit should include:
 
  • Tools
  • Personal items
  • Sanitary supplies
  • Money
  • Contact information
  • Pet supplies
  • Map
  • Food
  • Flashlight
  • Medications
  • Radio
 
For a detailed list of items you should include in your disaster kit, click here to learn more about what should be in your emergency preparedness kit.
 

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Make A Plan

Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to disaster.

Talk. Discuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternates in case someone is absent. If a family member is in the military, also plan for how you would respond if they are deployed. Include the local military base resources that may be available.

Plan. Choose two places to meet after a disaster:

  • Right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
  • Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.

Learn. Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Ask your local fire department to show you how to use a fire extinguisher.

Tell everyone in the household where emergency information and supplies are kept. Make copies of the information for everyone to carry with them. Keep the information updated.

Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked.

Include your pets. If you must evacuate, take your animals with you. If it is not safe for you to remain, it is not safe for them.

Be Informed

Know what may happen and how you can help.

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play.

Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information.

Learn what you can do to prepare for disasters by contacting your local Red Cross chapter to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster training.

Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed too.

What’s in your wallet? Be sure to include an American Red Cross Emergency Contact Card. (Download and print a contact card)

Join other members of your community through the American Red Cross in taking these first steps. You never know how many people your actions will affect, how many lives you might change.
Be Red Cross Ready – Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed.
It’s important that you be prepared for possible disasters and other emergencies. Natural or human-caused disasters can strike suddenly, at anytime and anywhere. There are three actions everyone can take that can help make a difference

Below are 3 Actions you should take to be prepared in emergencies.


Copyright (c) 2013 American Red Cross - San Diego Imperial Counties Chapter