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If you live in an area that's subject to natural disasters you may want to take the necessary precautions by planning ahead.

With Hurricane Dean Threatening The Mexican Coast The Red Cross is encouraging families to be Red Cross ready. This consists of getting an emergency preparedness kit with at least 3 days of food, water and other supplies and it is a good idea to keep extra supplies on hand just in case you are unable to leave the area that has been hit with the disaster. You are able to purchase your kits from the Red Cross or you can prepare them yourself. Within your kit should be the following items - Food, water, medications, radio, first aid kit, personal documents, contact information, map, money, clothing, sanitary supplies, pet supplies,and tools.

After you have your kit it's a good idea to have a plan of action in place. Have a discussion with your family about what everyone is to do in the event of an emergency. Give everyone a goal or objective they are to achieve during a disaster and make sure everyone who has a responsibility also has a backup in place just in case the initial person is absent for whatever reason. This ensures all angles are covered. A disaster can be very disruptive to a family living area, be sure to designate a meeting place for everyone. This represents the best time for everyone to meet and reconnect.

Everyone in the family should know the procedure for turning off the utilities. It's a good idea to practice evacuating the home in case of an emergency at least twice a year. Therefore if a emergency actually happens everyone will be prepared and know exactly what they are to do, where they should go and all the other duties they should perform.

Not only should a plan of action be in place for your family but also for the community in general. A lot of people are going to need help in terms of food, shelter, medication, clothing and support. You can even contact your local Red Cross chapter so that you can receive detailed information on how you can best support your community in a time of need. You may need to give blood, help connect family members with members of the armed forces stationed overseas. Teaching first aid classes may be something you would be interested in as a way contributing and helping out with the community.

You also want to be notified and keep informed in case of a disaster. Be familiar with your area or region. Find out which disasters are more prevalent in your area. And make sure you learn first aid from your local Red Cross.

With the Red Cross web site you can list or register family members who are evacuating on the safe list so everyone will know they are safe and out of harms way. Those individuals that are evacuating can also go on the site and list themselves thereby providing peace of mind to family members and friends.

Learn more about this author, Melvin Richardson.
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