Prepare for 

Emergencies Now: 

Information to 

Get Ready.

http://www.ready.gov

This common sense framework is 

designed to launch a process of learning 

about citizen preparedness. For the most 

current information and recommendations, 

go online to http://www.ready.gov. 

Recommended Supplies to 

Include in a Basic Kit:

p Water one gallon per person per day, 

 for drinking and sanitation

p Food at least a three-day supply of 

 non-perishable food

p Battery-powered radio and 

 extra batteries

p Flashlight and extra batteries

p First Aid kit

p Whistle to signal for help

p Filter mask or cotton t-shirt, to help 

 filter the air

p Moist towelettes for sanitation

p Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

p Manual can opener for food 

 ( if kit contains canned food )

p Plastic sheeting and duct tape

 to shelter-in-place

p Garbage bags and plastic ties

 for personal sanitation

p Unique family needs, such as daily 

 prescription medications, infant formula or 

 diapers, and important family documents

Distributed in partnership with:

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20472

FEMA R-3 / Catalog No. 09077-1
Preparing Makes Sense. 

The likelihood that you and your family will survive 

a house fire depends as much on having a working 

smoke detector and an exit strategy, as on a 

well - trained fire department. The same is true for 

surviving a terrorist attack or other emergency. 

We must have the tools and plans in place to 

make it on our own, at least for a period of 

time, no matter where we are when disaster 

strikes. Just like having a working smoke detector, 

preparing for the unexpected makes sense. 

Get ready now.

1

 Get 

 of Emergenc

 Be prepared to i

to make it on your own fo

there are many things th

first about fresh water, fo

a Kit

y Supplies.

mprovise and use what you have on hand 

r at least three days, maybe longer. While 

at might make you more comfortable, think 

od and clean air. 

Consider two kits. In one, put everything you will need to stay where 

you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, 

smaller version you can take with you if you have to get away. 

 

You’ll need a gallon of water per person per day for drinking and 

sanitation. Include in the kits a three day supply of non-perishable foods

that are easy to store and prepare such as protein bars, dried fruit or 

canned foods. If you live in a cold weather climate, include warm 

clothes and a sleeping bag for each member of the family. 

Some potential terrorist attacks could send tiny microscopic “junk” 

into the air. Many of these materials can only hurt you if they get into 

your body, so think about creating a barrier between yourself and 

any contamination. It’s smart to have something for each member of 

the family that covers their mouth and nose, such as two to three 

layers of a cotton t-shirt, handkerchief or towel or filter masks, readily 

available in hardware stores. It is very important that the mask or other 

material fit your face snugly so that most of the air you breathe comes 

through the mask, not around it. Do whatever you can to make the 

best fit possible for children. 

Also, include duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or 

plastic sheeting that can be used to seal windows and doors if 

you need to create a barrier between yourself and any potential 

contamination outside.

2

 Make a Plan 

 For What You Will Do in an Emergency.

 Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. 

 Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense 

 and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself 

 and your loved ones. 

 Develop a Family Communications Plan. Your 

 family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan 

 how you will contact one another and review what you 

 will do in different situations. Consider a plan where 

 each family member calls, or e-mails, the same 

 friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It 

 may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than 

 to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may 

 be in a better position to communicate among separated

 family members. Be sure each person knows the phone 

 number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the 

 emergency contact. You may have trouble getting through, 

or the phone system may be down altogether, but be patient.

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the attack, 

the first important decision is whether you stay put or get away. 

You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common 

sense and the information you are learning here to determine if 

there is immediate danger. Watch television and listen to the 

radio for official instructions as they become available. 

Create a Plan to Shelter-in-Place. There are 

circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier 

between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a 

process known as sheltering-in-place and sealing the room 

can be a matter of survival. If you see large amounts of 

debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is 

badly contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place 

and seal the room. Consider precutting plastic sheeting 

to seal windows, doors and air vents. Each piece should be 

several inches larger than the space you want to cover so that you 

can duct tape it flat against the wall. Label each piece with the 

location of where it fits.

Use all available information to assess the situation. If you see large 

amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly 

contaminated, you may want to shelter-in-place. Quickly bring your 

family and pets inside, lock doors, and close windows, air vents 

and fireplace dampers. Immediately turn off air conditioning, 

forced air heating systems, exhaust fans and clothes dryers. 

Take your emergency supplies and go into the room you have 

designated. Seal all windows, doors and vents. Understand 

that sealing the room is a temporary measure to create 

a barrier between you and contaminated air. Watch TV, listen 

to the radio or check the Internet for instructions.

Create a Plan to Get Away. Plan in advance how you will 

assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose 

several destinations in different directions so you have

options in an emergency. If you have a car, keep at least a half 

tank of gas in it at all times. Become familiar with alternate 

routes as well as other means of transportation out of your 

area. If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have 

to. Take your emergency supply kit, unless you have reason 

to believe it is contaminated and lock the door behind you. Take 

pets with you if you are told to evacuate, however, if you are going 

to a public shelter, keep in mind they may not be allowed inside. 

If you believe the air may be contaminated, drive with your windows 

and vents closed and keep the air conditioning and heater turned 

off. Listen to the radio for instructions.

Know Emergency Plans at School and Work. Think about 

the places where your family spends time: school, work and other 

places your family frequents. Talk to your children’s schools 

and your employer about emergency plans. Find out how they 

will communicate with families during an emergency. If you are an 

employer, be sure you have an emergency preparedness plan. Review 

and practice it with your employees. A community working together 

during an emergency also makes sense. Talk to your neighbors 

3

about how you can work together. 

 Be Informed 

 About What Might Happen.

 Some of the things you can do to prepare for the 

unexpected, such as assembling a supply kit and developing a 

family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or manmade emergency. However there are significant differences among 

potential terrorist threats, such as biological, chemical, explosive, 

 nuclear and radiological, which will impact the decisions you make 

 and the actions you take. By beginning a process of learning 

 about these specific threats, you are preparing yourself to 

 react in an emergency. Go to www.ready.gov to learn more 

 about potential terrorist threats and other emergencies or call 

 1-800-BE-READY (1-800-237-3239) for a free brochure.

 Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal 

 circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions 

 received from authorities on the scene. With these simple 

 preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected.

4

 Get ready now.

 Get Involved 

 in Preparing Your Community.

 After preparing yourself and your family for possible 

emergencies, take the next step and get involved in preparing your 

community. Join Citizen Corps, which actively involves citizens in 

making our communities and our nation safer, stronger and better 

prepared. We all have a role to play in keeping our hometowns 

secure from emergencies of all kinds. Citizen Corps works hard to 

help people prepare, train and volunteer in their communities. Go 

to www.citizencorps.gov for more information and to get involved.