What You Can Do to Prepare for a Disaster

Hurricane Katrina illustrated how crucial it is to be ready for an emergency. "There are steps you can take to be better prepared for the unexpected," says Robert Sweeney, D.O., chair of Emergency Medicine, Jersey Shore University Medical Center. "Most emergency preparation is easy and inexpensive, and largely involves writing down important information, collecting a few key items, and discussing plans with your family, friends, and neighbors."

Here are some other steps you can take to prepare for a disaster:

• Learn the location of your community’s evacuation routes and emergency shelters.
• Know how to turn off the electricity and gas in your home.
• Establish an emergency contact list with family and friends.
• Stock emergency supplies, including enough water and nonperishable food for three to five days.
• Give a trusted friend or neighbor a key to your house or apartment.
• Contact your city’s or county’s emergency management office. The office may keep lists of people with disabilities, so they can be located quickly in an emergency.

Also, if you are living with a disability, consider the following:

• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your disability.