	Armed Forces
	Disaster Services
	Be Prepared
	International Relief

Are you

"Red Cross Ready"?

While the American Red Cross and our partners are committed to lending a helping hand in to those in need, assistance may be delayed in times of disaster. That's why it's important for you and your family to Be Red Cross Ready by completing three easy steps:

Get A Kit

Make A Plan

Be Informed

Let's start with the kit. Listed below are the items that are suggested for a good disaster supply kit. You can make your own supply kit listing for your personal use.

Find a waterproof container and start filling it with the things listed below or whatever you have on your list. We have two weeks to get it completed before we start part two of our project, Make A Plan. Our goal is to have it all completed by June 1st which is the official start of hurricane season. Check back on May 3rd for information on Make A Plan.

DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

Water - at least a three (3) day supply; one gallon per person per day

Food - at least a three (3) day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food

Flashlight

Battery powered or hand crank radio (NOAA weather radio if possible)

Extra batteries

First Aid Kit

Medications (7 day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses,contact lenses, syringes, cane)

Multi-purpose tool

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

Cell phones with chargers

Family and emergency contact information

Extra cash

Emergency blanket

Map(s) of the area

Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)

Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)

Tools/supplies for securing your home

Extra set of car keys and house keys

Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes

Rain gear

Insect repellent and sunscreen

Camera for photos of damage

For more information on hurricane preparedness

click here.

Disaster Services

Prepare Your Home and Family

Prepare Now for Peace of Mind Later

Home fires are the most common disaster that the Red Cross responds to and also the most preventable. Families need to take a few simple precautions to avoid tragedies, such as having working smoke alarms on every level of their homes and having family fire escape plans in place to help get everyone out of the house safely. The American Red Cross recommends the following when creating your family escape plan:

Identify two ways to escape from every room in the home.
Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Select a safe location away from the home where your family can meet after escaping.
Consider purchasing and storing escape ladders for rooms above ground level and make sure to learn how to use them.
If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out.
If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke.
Before escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second escape route.
If smoke, heat or flames block both of your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Place a rolled towel underneath the door. Signal for help by waving a brightly colored cloth or shining a flashlight at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and let them know your exact location inside the home.
Once you've escaped, stay out.