The American Red Cross advises everyone to:

• Make a plan

• Create a disaster kit

Making a plan.

• Talk with your family

• Choose two places to meet after a disaster--right outside your home, and outside your neighborhood in case you must leave

• Have an out-of-town contact person

• Think about your pets--animals are not allowed in emergency shelters

Creating a disaster kit.  Include:

• Enough supplies for each household member for three days

• One gallon of water per person per day

• Food that requires no refrigeration or preparation (canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter)

• First aid kit

• Flashlight (with extra batteries)

• Medications

• Battery-powered radio (with extra batteries

• Tools

• Clothing

• Personal items

• Sanitary supplies

• Money

• Contact information

• Pet supplies

• Map

• Personal medical record

Your Personal Medical Record should include:

• Your doctors' and pharmacy names and phone numbers

• Names and phone numbers of persons to contact in an emergency

• Medical conditions

• Allergies and drug reactions

• Prescription medication              

Find a copy of the Personal Medical Record form here

Information complied from American Red Cross and Virginia Department of Emergency Management brochures.

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