By Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch

Why is the only time we think about getting prepared when disaster has already struck? Often, when we hear about disasters, we think, “I really should get a plan and things together in case of an emergency,” but most of us never get around to doing anything about it. Read these simple steps to get ready for the unexpected.

1—Get a Kit
2—Make a Plan
3—Be Informed

1—Get a Kit
When preparing for an emergency, it is important to think about the basics for survival. The “big 4” that we suggest are water, cash, food, and a first-aid kit. Make sure your kit has enough supplies for each family member for five days. Imagine how much suffering could have been avoided after the recent hurricanes if every family had an emergency kit stocked with these basic four essentials.

2—Make a Plan
Make sure your family has a meeting place close to home and out-of-town in case of an emergency. It is also important to have a family contact that is out-of-state who can separately communicate with all family members. In case of an emergency that does not require an evacuation, talk to your neighbors about how everyone can work together during an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the plan and stick to it! Once you have a plan, set aside a family dinner every six months to review.

3—Be Informed
The more you know about what to do when the unexpected occurs, the better your decisions will be if disaster strikes. Find out what disasters your area is the most at risk for and what the appropriate way is to respond to them. Also, once you have organized the basics, spend some time thinking about the extra things that your family may need such as prescription medication, pet supplies. and glasses. Just remember, you can never be too prepared! For complete emergency preparedness information, visit www.ready.gov.