I recommended in another thread the American Red Cross material on planning, on the personal and family level, for disasters. There are some basic, non-panic-based steps anyone can and should take, to be prepared at ALL times for ALL sorts of disaster. Your local chapter will also have, or can get, inexpensive videos that demonstrate most of the following.

CLICK HERE to see a list of all disaster preparedness materials available online or through your local chapter. Below are exerpts from the list, describing the items I found most pertinent in my Red Cross presentations to the community.

~Susan

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GENERAL PREPAREDNESS

Emergency Preparedness Checklist
4-page, 3-color brochure helps families examine ways to prepare each household member and their home for disasters. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A4471 for a nominal fee.

Your Family Disaster Plan
4-page, 3-color brochure describing four steps to disaster safety--finding out what can happen, planning, preparing, and practicing. Local Red Cross chapters can order printed copies in packages of 25 as stock number A4466 (English version) or A4466S (Spanish version) for a nominal fee. The following versions are available on-line: Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog

Disaster Supplies Kit
4-page, 3-color brochure that gives information on how to assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit and a checklist for items to place in it. Local Red Cross chapters can order printed copies in packages of 25 as stock number A4463 (English version) or A4463S (Spanish version) for a nominal fee. Also available on-line: Cambodian version, Chinese version, English version, Korean version, Spanish version, Tagalog version, Vietnamese version

Checklist for People with Mobility Problems
4-page, 3-color brochure designed to provide guidance on disaster preparedness for people who have mobility problems. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A4497 for a nominal fee.

Food and Water in an Emergency
4-page, 3-color brochure that gives information on how to store water, water purification, water sources, and food storage. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A5055 for a nominal fee. Also available on-line in these versions: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese

Safety Information for Short-Term Power Outages or "Rolling Blackouts".
A fact sheet providing tips and information on how to deal with short-term power outages. Available on-line. Attribution: American Red Cross.

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ESPECIALLY FOR USE WITH CHILDREN

Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book
24-pages. Designed for children ages 3-10 and a "helper" to discuss disasters that can happen and ways to get ready for them. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 in English as stock number A2200 and in Spanish as A2200S for a nominal fee. Also available on-line: English version, Spanish version, Vietnamese version,

Video: Adventures of the Disaster Dudes.
Video-based program comes with a Presenter's Guide and a 14-minute video. The video is designed to be shown in three segments that feature children describing what a disaster really is, information on correct response, and how to create a family disaster plan. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order as stock number A5024 for a nominal fee.

Helping Children Cope With Disaster
4-page brochure with information on helping children prepare for and cope with disasters. Covers activities in which children can join in, as well as how to help children recover from and understand the effects of disaster. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 25 as stock number A4499 in English and as A4499S in Spanish for a nominal fee. Available in these versions: Chinese, English, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese

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FOR BUSINESSES

Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry.
78-page Guide provides step-by-step advice on how a business can create and maintain a comprehensive emergency management program. It can be used by retailers, manufacturers, corporate offices, utilities, or any organization where a sizable number of people work or gather. Attribution: Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross. Local Red Cross chapters can order in packages of 5 as stock number A5025 for a nominal fee. Also available on-line.