Tips on Preparing for Emergencies

Gainesville, Florida

Disasters are often unpredictable. Whether it's a hurricane, tornado or something else entirely, planning ahead can keep you and your family safe.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors offers a few simple steps Americans can take to prepare for severe weather and other disasters:

• Create a family emergency plan. This is the only way to ensure that you and your family members know what to do when a disaster strikes. Consider different scenarios. For example, your family may not be together at the time. How will you get in touch with one another? Where will you meet? Knowing the emergency plans for your city or town, your workplace and your child's school can help you prepare.
  
  
• Identify your first call for help. After a major disaster, calling people outside of your immediate vicinity can sometimes be easier than trying to reach those with local numbers. Designate one trusted family member or friend living in a different part of the country that you and your family members can call.

This person can help coordinate communication among your family in the event that you are separated, and can provide you with vital information you may not be able to access during an emergency.

• Sign up for direct deposit. If you receive Social Security or other federal benefits by check, consider switching to direct deposit. In addition to providing important protection against identity theft and fraud, direct deposit is the most reliable option for those living in communities where severe weather and other disasters can displace people from their homes.

Following Hurricane Katrina, for example, seniors and others who were already using direct deposit for their Social Security payments had immediate access to their funds from virtually anywhere, thanks to automated teller machines and financial institution networks.

For information about signing up for direct deposit of your Social Security or other federal benefit payment, call 800-333-1795 or log on to www.GoDirect.org.

• Prepare an emergency kit. Whether you need to evacuate your home quickly or remain indoors until a threat passes, an emergency kit can mean more time to focus your attention on the other important decisions you will need to make. Make sure the kit includes several days' worth of basic supplies: food, water and proper clothing.