3 Ways to Prepare for a Disaster

• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your family's check-in person. In an emergency, SMS messages and long-distance calls often go through more easily than calls in the affected area.

• Know the routes your family members generally take to and from work, school, and other daily activities so that you can tell authorities where they may have been traveling if a disaster strikes.

• Make sure every adult in your household knows when and how to shut off the water, power, and gas. Post instructions near the main switches.

Find more tips and resources at planitnow.org and ready.gov.

Share your tips: What have you done to prepare your household for a disaster?