It may be necessary to leave your home quickly with little or no time to prepare or to take anything with you. It is also possible that an emergency may strike at a time when you are away from home. For this reason you should have emergency items stored in your car, and you should have a communication plan to help you and your family members find each other. Because your car may be your means of evacuation, it is important to maintain at least one half tank of gas or more at all times, and keep your car in good repair.

The following is a recommendation of items to put into an emergency car kit:

Water
Food
Prescription Drugs
LED Flashlight or light sticks
First aid kit
Sanitation
Maps and compass
AM/FM radio (in addition to car radio)
Emergency blanket
Extra clothing
Jumper cables
Car repair tools
Cell phone (most disconnected cell phones are able to call 9-1-1)
Fire extinguisher
Paper and pencil
Toys and other special consideration items for children
Books and games for entertainment

It is important to customize your emergency car kit for people with special needs such as diabetes, allergies, chronicillness, babies, and elderly.

Remember to always let someone know what time you left and what time you expect to arrive at your destination. By taking these precautions, you can prepare your family for an emergency and feel more confident in your travels.

Courtesy of Augason Farms Emergency Preparedness Tips

Most of the nation is served by 9-1-1 emergency dispatch, but when people in a large area are in an emergency situation, that system could be over-worked and unresponsive. Try to think of the numbers you might want to call in an emergency. Create an emergency phone list and keep it posted where everyone can get to it easily if the need arises.

Example of Emergency Numbers for Your List:

Any emergency--
911
Fire station
Local Police Station
State Police Station
Local F.B.I. Office
Local office of Homeland Protection
Local National Guard
Family Doctor
Poison Control Center
Animal Control
School Numbers
Local friends or relatives
Out-of-state friends and relatives
Work Numbers
Trusted Neighbors
American Red Cross
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
State and local emergency management offices