WASHINGTON -- With war under way, and the possibility of retailatory terrorist attacks, homeland security experts say every person and every family should be prepared.
Security officials said everyone should have three things:
an emergency kit
a communications plan
information
Experts told News4's Chris Gordon that the emergency kit should be kept in a duffel bag, knapsack or container. It should be kept in a location where it can be quickly reached, or moved if necessary.
Some of the basics that belong in the kits include:
water
food
first aid supplies
bedding
clothes
tools
battery-powered radio or TV
Click here for more detailed plans to build an emergency kit.
Some people are stocking up on gas masks or breathing masks, but experts said those decisions should be made carefully.
"A lot of the gas masks that you see for sale in stores are bulk war, where they are only for a particular type of hazardous material. They won't work for another type. The gauze masks are pretty good. I know a lot of people who wear a gauze mask just when they're mowing their lawns because it helps keep down the allergens from getting into their system. So the gauze masks might be good in a particular case for some small hazard that's not really that serious. So I wouldn't want everyone going out and buying gas masks and buying all these things," said Michael Brown of the Department of Homeland Security.
As for a communications plan, experts said it is important to stay in touch with the people you care about.
"Know where everybody is at all times. And then, if for some reason, there's no way to use a cell phone or hard-line telephone, how are you going to get in contact with those people? So it's making a communications plan. And that communications plan should also include, 'Where are we going to meet?' And how are we going to get to that meeting place? Just so the family can get back together and secure themselves and take care of themselves," Brown said.
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Brown said that anyone who does not already have an emergency kit and communications plan, should put one together soon. He said the plans are preparations are needed not only for terrorist attacks, but for any type of natural disaster, too.
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