Since the September 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, the United States has remained in a heightened state of alert. Anxiety about a possible future attack creates unwanted stress and a sense of hopelessness in some. However, preparing for another unthinkable attack is not that much different than preparing for any other human caused or natural disaster. Simple planning could make a critical difference in keeping your family safe, and will give you peace of mind that should the unthinkable happen, you will have prepared to the best of your ability.

There are three simple steps to take that will help your family prepare in the event of an emergency:

        1. Make a plan
        2. Get a disaster/terrorism preparedness kit
        3. Be informed

Make a Plan

Where will you meet your loved ones if your home is unavailable? Who should your children trust if you cannot get to them? How will you know where to go should you evacuate? What should you bring with you? What about insurance? Medical care?

In the event of an emergency, answers to these questions will need to be automatic. Teach your children how to call 9-1-1 and who to contact in the event of an attack or emergency. Practice evacuation from your home and the route you will travel to escape. Prepare a portable disaster kit that you can take should you need to evacuate. Fill out a downloadable "Family Disaster Plan” sheet and keep it with your emergency kit.

Get a Kit-Your kit should be lightweight (without the food and water) and portable, and should contain the following:

  1. Non-perishable Food and Water for Three Days: Store at least one gallon of water per person per day.
  2. First Aid Kit—Assemble a kit for your home and one per car. It should include: bandages of various sizes; alcohol-based sanitizer or germicidal/antiseptic wipes; non-latex gloves, adhesive tape; anti-bacterial ointment; cold pack; small scissors; tweezers; CPR breathing barrier; and other items specific to your needs.
  3. Tools and Supplies: Disposable plates, cups and utensils; battery operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries; utility knife; matches in a waterproof container; extra cash and coins; feminine products; glasses or contact lenses; maps with evacuation routes clearly marked; sturdy gloves; cloth face masks; rolls of duct tape and plastic sheeting (for securing windows and doors in the event of particles in the air); a fire extinguisher; and household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant, or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water—do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners).
  4. Clothing and Bedding: One complete change of clothing and footwear per person, along with blankets or sleeping bags.
  5. Special Items: Some families have special needs, like for the elderly or young children. Remember: Keep important documents, such as insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, bank account numbers and credit card numbers in a waterproof, locking fire-box or other portable container. Also, make sure to stock up supplies for your pets.

      6. Be Informed

      • Safety
        • Learn CPR—it could save a life; and
        • Check your first-aid and disaster preparedness kits for expired supplies; and
        • Learn where “high ground” can be found in the event of a flash flood.
      • Know where to get information
        • Know where to listen for announcements from local authorities on TV, local radio or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations or channels;
      • Make a card with contacts for:
        • Family members and trusted friends;
        • Medical providers;
        • Fire department;
        • Poison Control;
        • Police; and
        • Local Office of Emergency Services.
      • Insurance
        • Purchase flood insurance if you do not have it already;
        • Take pictures of your belongings; and
        • Know your insurance agency’s contact info.

Stay Calm!

Now is the time to implement your family disaster plan.

  • Review your completed “Family Disaster Plan” tear-off sheet provided in this brochure;
  • If possible, leave your contact information and a sign saying you have evacuated on your front door. This will enable local officials to contact you when the danger has passed and not waste critical time searching your home for disaster victims.
  • Get your prepared emergency kit and fire-box with important documents;
  • In the event of an attack, there may be hazardous particles in the air that make breathing difficult. Breathing through cloth face masks or strips of cloth if these are unavailable, while not necessarily filtering out all hazardous chemicals, can still provide some level of protection.
  • Depending on the type of terrorist attack, it might make sense to secure your windows and doors with plastic sheeting (if you are not evacuating) to keep contaminants out.
  • If you are separated from loved ones, meet at your designated gathering spot;
  • Get to safety; and
  • When you and your family are safe, help others.

Return to Normal

  • Make sure it is safe before you return to your home—contact local police, fire departments, or disaster relief agencies for information;
  • Register as "Safe and Well" with the American Red Cross, so your family and friends will know your status and can obtain your contact information. Utilize the Red Cross and local services to locate lost loved ones. Visit http://www.redcross.org/ for more information;
  • Contact your insurance provider to make a claim for damaged property;
  • After life has returned to normal, evaluate what happened during this emergency for what worked well and what aspects you can learn from in preparing for the next disaster.