 Preparing for a disaster and emergency situation is a great way to protect your family. Learn 5 things your family can do to prepare for a disaster situation so you can know at all times  that your family is ready for those 'just in case' moments.
 Have an escape plan- really. Too often, families discuss which door they  will run out of if a fire occurs or a burglar enters the home, but a plan is  rarely ever created. Sit down with your family and actually draw out several  escape plans for various disaster situations and make a copy for each family  member to have in their room.
 Your food and monetary storage should last you a while. At all times you  should have 3 months' worth of food and money set aside just in case you need  it. Even a job loss is considered a disaster, so make sure you have the money  you need to pay bills for 3 months (or to have handy for emergency use). Also,  have 3 months' worth of food and water on hand so your family doesn't starve in  the event of job loss, an earthquake, or other disaster.
 Do you have a first aid kit? This sounds so simple, but too many  families have a stock of bandages and peroxide handy and call it good. You need  to have a real first aid kit, complete with bandages, gauze, liquid stitches,  and more to ensure that you really have what you need ready.
 Emergency contacts for those scary moments. Place a list of trusted  emergency contacts on your fridge (and notify these people that they have been  chosen as well), so your young children can know who to call in case something  happens to Mommy or Daddy. In moments of panic, children should know that they  can call emergency services first, and then emergency contacts so they do not  feel alone.
Maintain the instinct to survive.  For yourself, your family and your fellow countrymen!
 Equip your car for disaster as well. Disaster situations don't just  happen in the home, they happen in the car as well. Keep a blanket, fresh  water, a flare, first aid kit, and other emergency items in your car so in the  event of getting lost, running out of gas, or a car accident, you can keep your  family safe and warm. You never know when a disaster will strike, and you want  to be ready at all times in all areas.
 Have an escape plan- really. Too often, families discuss which door they  will run out of if a fire occurs or a burglar enters the home, but a plan is  rarely ever created. Sit down with your family and actually draw out several  escape plans for various disaster situations and make a copy for each family  member to have in their room.
 Your food and monetary storage should last you a while. At all times you  should have 3 months' worth of food and money set aside just in case you need  it. Even a job loss is considered a disaster, so make sure you have the money  you need to pay bills for 3 months (or to have handy for emergency use). Also,  have 3 months' worth of food and water on hand so your family doesn't starve in  the event of job loss, an earthquake, or other disaster.
 Do you have a first aid kit? This sounds so simple, but too many  families have a stock of bandages and peroxide handy and call it good. You need  to have a real first aid kit, complete with bandages, gauze, liquid stitches,  and more to ensure that you really have what you need ready.
 Emergency contacts for those scary moments. Place a list of trusted  emergency contacts on your fridge (and notify these people that they have been  chosen as well), so your young children can know who to call in case something  happens to Mommy or Daddy. In moments of panic, children should know that they  can call emergency services first, and then emergency contacts so they do not  feel alone.
Maintain the instinct to survive.  For yourself, your family and your fellow countrymen!
 Equip your car for disaster as well. Disaster situations don't just  happen in the home, they happen in the car as well. Keep a blanket, fresh  water, a flare, first aid kit, and other emergency items in your car so in the  event of getting lost, running out of gas, or a car accident, you can keep your  family safe and warm. You never know when a disaster will strike, and you want  to be ready at all times in all areas.