Emergency events can occur quickly and without any warning. Planning for any emergency requires considering all likely scenarios. Remember, you may not have time to shop or search for the supplies you need. If you are at home, electricity, water, heat, air conditioning, telephone service, and transportation could be cut off for a considerable amount of time or first responders may not be able to reach you right away. Consequently, you should plan on having food, water, medications, and other essentials to get you through the emergency. Emergency management planners now suggest having enough supplies on hand to last your family at least five to seven days (up to two weeks or more, if possible). In certain types of emergencies, you may have to evacuate your home or community. In any case, it is important to develop a household emergency preparedness plan that includes:

• An emergency preparedness kit. Store the kit in a convenient place known to all family members.
• An reunion plan that includes at least two emergency meeting places. Pick one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire. Pick at least one other place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
• Choose an out-of-town person to be your contact point for family members to call if you are separated. Make sure everyone has contact information including phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
• Information about school and workplace emergency plans.