At one point or another in your adult life, you may find yourself in a state of emergency. It is best to be prepared before this occurs so you can focus on being safe rather than being worried.

Keeping your head in the game will improve your statistics of being safe in any natural disaster or other emergency, and all you need to do is follow these steps.

1. HAVE A PLAN: Sit down with the people who live with or around you and discussing what to do in time of an emergency. Plan an escape route or designate the locations in your home where you will go for any scenario. For example, find the room you would stay safest in during a tornado.

2. PRACTICE: Practice the plan you came up with so that you are ready to go at any point in time. These should be discussed and practiced a couple of times per year. Remember to stick to the plan.

3. MAKE A KIT: Every home, workspace, and even car should be equipped with an emergency kit, containing supplies that can keep you safe for a number of days. This should contain the following:

   • water – enough for each person for three days, used for drinking and sanitation

   • food – non-perishable, enough for three days

   • battery operated flashlight

   • battery operated radio

   • extra batteries

   • first-aid kit

   • maps of local area

4. LEARN FIRST AID: Being CPR certified can come in handy, you never know when you’ll need it. This skill can buy precious time for somebody who needs it  and is affordable and available to those who wish to learn it. The American Red Cross periodically offers classes on this in the Austin area.

5. STAY UPDATED: The final step in being prepared for an emergency is being aware of your surroundings. The type of environment you are in can really affect how something might turn out. Stay updated and well informed on what might be heading your way or what type of situation you may find yourself in.