Preparedness: An everyday task for everyday life

Being prepared for emergencies is crucial at home, school, work and in your community. Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make you and your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. The American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter works the year round with city, county and state emergency management agencies to facilitate disaster preparedness and planning. Ongoing efforts continue to recruit and train volunteers, and secure resources for shelter, communications and supplies.

Redcross.org Store

Use this handy online resource to purchase Red Cross supplies.

"Safe and Well" Web site

 
As with other Red Cross services, the Safe and Well website safeguards the privacy of disaster victims. Messages are viewable by friends and family, but the Web site does not reveal a registered person's location. Privacy laws require the Red Cross to protect each person's right to determine how best to communicate their contact information and whereabouts to family members.

In the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma when millions of people were ordered to evacuate, the Red Cross urges all Americans to develop a family communication plan and make the Safe and Well website an integral part of it.

Important tips to remember when developing a family communication plan:

	Plan ahead for the possibility of becoming separated from your family and friends.
	Choose an out-of-town contact that each family or household member can call or email should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event. They should be aware that they are the chosen contact.
	All of your loved ones should have the phone number for the contact as well as each other's phone numbers and email addresses. Loved ones should agree to call the out-of-town contact to report their whereabouts and welfare. Consider having a laminated wallet-sized card made to carry with you at all times.

Preparing for a disaster ahead of time can help alleviate the stress you may face during the emergency, and ease the burden on your family and loved ones.

Related Links:
>> RED CROSS Safe & Well website