plan * prepare * Practice * protect

After completing your preparedness plan, it is important to walk through it step-by-step to familiarize yourself and family members with the protocols you developed. Also, locate weaknesses in your plan and identify steps that should be added. These tips will help you accomplish this goal:

The following items should be included in your emergency kit:

• Your plan should be reviewed and drilled at least once a year.
  
• Practice various scenarios, such as flood evacuation and sheltering in place, to enhance your ability to be prepared for a variety of emergency events.
  
• Test fire alarms.
  
• Update and replace disaster supplies.
  
• Ask family members questions to verify they remember meeting places, contact information, such as phone numbers, and safety rules.
  
• Practice how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.
  
• Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 to get emergency assistance, and make long-distance telephone calls.
  
• Take a Basic First Aid and CPR class.