In the event of a disaster, prepare to be self-sufficient. During the first few hours or days following a disaster, essential services may not be available. Minimally, you should have a 72-hour preparedness kit at home, at work and even a few items in your car.
Identify the most severe threats likely to affect you (e.g. earthquake, tornado, flood, etc.) and prepare accordingly
Make a disaster plan with your family. Have a fire escape procedure and practice it.
Establish a designated meeting place and/or a phone number to call for family members to reunite after a disaster. Assign duties to each family member. Provide instructions for first aid and for turning off utilities
Specifically, each member of the family should have a personal survival kit. This can be accomplished by preparing a backpack for every member
Inspect your home for damage to electrical, water and gas lines. Use your telephone only in case of emergency
Use your Neighborhood Watch program network to check on and help each other