• Background

Public Education

Homeland Security Checklist

Prepare a Disaster Kit - In the kit include medications, food, water, cash, flashlights, batteries, radio, etc.

Discuss Types of Disasters - Discuss the types of disasters and terrorism emergencies with your family. Plan what to do for each case.

Call a Friend - Choose a family member or a friend out-of-state or from a distant community that can be called if local phones are not working. Every family member should carry this number and call to "check in".

Carry and Post Emergency Phone Numbers - Each family member should carry emergency numbers, i.e., parents work, close relatives, doctor's office, etc.

Turn off Utilities - Show each family member how to shut off the utilities.

Our ultimate goal is a time when security measures are a comfortable, convenient part of our routine; a time when people go about their daily lives mindful of risks but not encumbered by fear; unwavering in our resolve and full participants in our own protection.

Secretary Michael Chertoff
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Create an Emergency Plan - Pick two places your family can meet during an emergency. Pick one outside of your home for sudden emergencies and the other outside of your nehighborhood in case you can't return home.