Dear Just Be: With the recent earthquake in Haiti and the recent snow storms in Colorado I feel ill prepared for emergencies, do you have tips?

Being prepared for any type of emergency is an important thing that many of us neglect or don’t realize we should do. The first step in preparing for an emergency is to get a kit.

A basic emergency supply kit should include:

• Water - One gallon per person per day for at least three days. This will be used for drinking and sanitation.
• Food – At least three days worth of non-perishable food.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both. A NOAA Weather Radio is a dedicated radio enabling you to receive real time weather information provided by the National Weather Service. The information you receive includes current weather conditions, local forecasts, travel and recreational forecasts, as well as climatology data.
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

The second step is making a plan. Your family may not be together during a disaster or emergency, so it is important to figure out how you will contact each other, and how you will get back together. Before an emergency or disaster hits plan the following:

• ID an out-of town contact to communicate among separated family members. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call some one in town.
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency). If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you’ve listed them as emergency contacts.
• Show family members how to use text messaging. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not get through.
• Sign up to alert services. Many communities have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.

Lastly, be informed. Learn about the potential emergencies and disasters that occur where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them. In Denver the best way to stay informed is through a NOAA Weather Radio and to monitor the radio station 850 KOA.
For more information on how to be prepared for an emergency or disaster visit:

Ready America
Colorado Division of Emergency Management
City of Denver