2. NOAA weather radios.

Have 2 or 3 around your house. Your car and business could use some too! Go to www.weather.gov/nwr/ to learn about what these radios offer that others don't.

3. Make a kit.

Get the right amount of water for your whole family. These kits should have enough supplies to last your whole family to evacuate or shelter in place for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days). Make kits for your home and your car, even your business office!

Check out this brochure for a list of supplies to put in your Supply Kit: Emergency Supply Kit

4. Food safety for your kits.

Add non-perishable items with high amounts of protein. Every 6 months, be sure to change out your supply to make sure your items are safe to eat.

5. Do a home hazard hunt.

Include the whole family to research how you can "disaster proof" your home. This could be a great family activity for everyone-keep it fun! Click here for ideas for doing your home hazard hunt.

6. Plan evacuation routes.

Have more than one way to get out of your community, out of the city limits and out of your neighborhood. Also plan on where to go after you get out.

7. Map out a home escape plan.

Having everyone know the family escape plan will save time and effort of others making sure everyone is out. Have a meeting place away from the house to meet immediately after escaping.

8. Utilities.

In any emergency, it is very important that you turn off your propane or gas unit. If you smell anything suspicious, like rotten eggs, turn them off! And remember that only the gas company can turn them back on. Turning off your water is extremely important for utilizing water which is 'safe.' Not turning off your water heater may cause your usable water to become contaminated depending on outside conditions.

9. Important Documentation.

Have medical information and important documents in safe places. Consider putting these in a safety security box, or putting them in a portable file box to easily access and take with you in a hurry.

10. Under your bed.

Keep some good shoes, a flashlight and gloves underneath your bed so you can grab these at the time you have to evacuate your home.

11. Fire Safety.

Check your fire extinguisher to make sure it is in working order. Remember P-A-S-S when attempting to operate.
P-Pull the pin.
A-Aim at the base of the fire.
S-Squeeze the extinguisher handle.
S-Sweep the fire from side to side.

12. Shelter in place.

If you have to shelter in place, remember these important rules: if there is a tornado, get down; if there is a fire, get out; if there is a chemical emergency, seal up. Go inside; close and lock all doors and windows; shut off any heating or cooling systems and close fireplace dampers; gather people and pets in your shelter room and seal windows, doors and vents. Listen to the radio or TV for further instructions or an "all clear."