Resilience in Readiness: 5 Easy Steps to Start Now

Add their numbers to your mobile device (smartphone or tablet) - categorized as an emergency contact - and make sure they have yours. After you have your support network and key emergency contacts in your phone, call them. Make sure they have your information. Talk about what to expect in an emergency. This can be an uncomfortable conversation with friends, neighbors, and family. Download the full tip sheet for a few ideas on how to start these conversations. 

Make sure your phone is enabled to get local alerts and warnings. When emergencies strike, public safety officials use these systems to alert you. Back when you set up your phone, you may not have been thinking about emergency alerts. But think about it now! It's easy to make sure your phone is enabled to receive local alerts and get warnings. And it matters: when emergencies strike, public safety officials use wireless emergency alerts to "ping" all enabled mobile devices in that community. 

You can also download an app for disaster preparedness. Check to see if your local TV station (that has a meteorologist) has an app or save their URL in your Favorites on your mobile device and laptop/desktop computer. Download the full tip sheet to see how to set up emergency alerts on your device or to find emergency apps to download.

This includes the needs of your family and friends. Take action to meet those needs now. Add your medical information to your phone (this article tells you how). Build an emergency essentials kit for your home and a "go bag" for your car. Keep a (charged) power bank in each. it can be hard to think about what you may need during a crisis, so think about it now. Ask yourself questions about your medical needs, animal care, shelter, food, water, clothing, and more. For a full list of things to consider, download the full tip sheet and get started today.

Use your phone to take photos of key documents and document valuables. Keep electronic copies of these important documents in a password-protected format on a removable flash or external hard drive in your fireproof and waterproof box or safe — or consider using a secure cloud-based service. Once a year, walk around your house with your camera to record (and narrate) a visual list of your valuables to give value estimates, for insurance purposes. Save this where you save your other important digital records. For a list of key documents to consider including, download the full tip sheet.

Now that you've taken these steps, make sure your family has done the same. Check in with your closest friends and extended family to share these tips. Discuss who may need extra help and designate someone to get to them in an emergency. Check yourself and each other, asking yourself if:

- I have created a support network of family, friends, caregivers, fellow congregants at my place of worship, and others who can assist me during an emergency.

- I have shared my emergency plan with my support network.

- My support network is aware of any specific needs I have.

- Someone in my support network has an extra key to my home, knows where I keep my emergency supplies, and knows how to use life saving equipment and administer medicine.

- I know my clinic/hospital's emergency plans and have identified backup health providers.

- My support network and I are informed about local emergency alerts and updates.

- I have or will try to participate in a community preparedness event or initiative.

Contact your local United Way or check their website to find out if they have any preparedness workshops scheduled or information about pending disasters.