It takes just three steps for older Americans to get READY for an emergency.
Get an Emergency Supply Kit. Make a Family Emergency Plan and Be Informed about different types of emergencies. 
To get started, go to Ready.gov to get a list of everything your Emergency Supply Kit should contain.

"What else?...First Aid Kit... We have that."
"We have a brand new First Aid Kit."
"I think it has all of these items in it."

There are some basic items that every person needs regardless of age.

"The first thing they said that we should have in our Basic Emergency Supply Kit is water." 
"Since there are three of us, well need at least three gallons per person."

But older Americans may need to include the special supplies they rely on for their health and safety.

(Karen Reyes, Manager of Editorial Projects, AARP Magazine)
"Older Americans should think about things they will absolutely need for three days."
"Medications, special prescriptions and eyeglasses. It's always good to have and extra set of eyeglasses for this kit."
"And not only the prescriptions, but a copy of the prescriptions, incase you have to fill it later."
"Batteries for hearing aids, or any other special need like that is very critical."

"Know what? I didn't put my Insulin in...Ok?"
"And that's one of the things we really have to remember."

Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
1. One gallon of water per person per day for three days
2. Food for your family for three days
3. Battery-powered radio
4. NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
5. Flashlight
6. Extra batteries
7. First aid kit
8. Pet food and water
Download a complete checklist at Ready.gov

Specialized Emergency Supply Kit
1. At least three day's supply of medicines or medical treatments
2. Important documents
3. Copy of perscriptions, dosage and treatment information
4. Eyeglasses, hearing aids and batteries, wheelchair batteries, oxygen
5. Copies of medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid cards
6. Information pn any equipment or life-saving devices you use
Download the Older Americans brochure at Ready.gov

"The other thing is that we're gonna put this blanket in here, and we can get some more later."

Once you've got everything together put all of the items in a container that you can take with you if you need to leave home in an emergency.

"I have the new prescription."
"We'll need to put it in with the documents then."

Remember, medicines can spoil, just like our food.
So you should check your kits regularly to make sure prescriptions haven't expired.
"I really didn't look at the expiration date on it. So, this is really important."
"We'll need to make a note on your list, like when bthis particular prescription expires."
"Now we're going to keep a copy of it in our kit and then we're going to share this information with people we think need to know this."
"Alright,... So, out of town contact name..."
"Maurice, I guess... right?"
"Do you have his phone number?"
"Put his number down there."

If there's an emergency, you may be able to stay in your home, or you may have to evacuate.
It's important to have a plan ready for either situation.
In addition to a basic emergency plan you may also have some unique needs to plan for.
"..uhmm, I'm insulin dependent. I think that's the important thing."
"And also, I'll put down my MedicAlert information on here."
"You need to call in and update your meds."
"Right."
"I'm calling to update my medical information."
"I think the last time I did that was three months ago, and I've had a change in some of my medication."

Basic Family Emergency Plan:
1. Contact numbers - local and out-of-area
2. Meeting locations - local and out-of-area
3. Date of birth, social security and medical information
4. School and workplace emergency plans
Download a template at Ready.gov to get started.

"One things we did talk about is if I couldn't administer my insulin, who would do it?"
"And, would they know how to do it?"

Create a Personal Support Network if you'll need special assistance during an emergency.
Talk to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers about your emergency plan, so they know what they can do to help you.
"This is the syringe, and these are the units here."
"5, 10, 15, 20, 25."
"So, I take 10 units."

Let the people in your Personal Support Network know what medicines you rely on.
Also, let the know if you have any physical limitations.

"... so then you've swapped my abdomen. Then you just stick it in and pull it out very quickly."

"Jump to a state, ...see what they say."
"So, it has community and state information."

Ready.gov and links to local information will help you learn about the types of emergencies that could affect your area.

Different Types of Emergencies:
1. Floods and Fires
2. Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Earthquakes
3. Winter Storms, Thunderstorms, Extreme Heat and Extreme Cold
4. Terrorist Threats
Find out more at Ready.gov

The information will help you know what to do in case of any emergency, natural or man-made.
Be prepared to adapt the information to your personal circumstances.
You'll find everything you'll need to prepare yourself and your family for an emergency at Ready.gov
It's as simple as One, Two, Three.
This instructional video was developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in consultation with AARP.