Every year people are affected by disasters. Lives are lost, property is destroyed and personal effects lost to the unforgiving aftermath of both natural and man-made disasters. The saddest part of such devastation is that most of it could have been averted with the proper preparation. Being prepared does not mean that one won't incur any loss, however, if one prepares properly, it can save lives, homes and personal affects. Proper preparation can also make recovery and dealing with insurance companies and government entities exponentially easier.

Pets can feel stress every bit as much as a human being can, and this is no different when talking of natural disasters. When dealing with the "before", "during", and "after" of disaster, don't make a mistake of leaving your pets out of the equation! While we advocate building an emergency kit for disasters, families can often neglect to consider the needs of their pets. Your pet is a member of your family and should be considered so when making decisions regarding family safety.

General: It is recommended that you keep a 3 to 7 day supply of Water and Food for each person. Flashlights and radios should not require batteries. Choose a manual crank or pump style instead. Dead batteries will not work when you really need them!

It is natural to be upset when you think your health or the health of your loved ones is threatened. Pay attention to your own feelings and take care of your emotional needs, then you can better help friends and family members handle their concerns.