Prepare a family emergency plan. Include plans for sheltering-in-place, evacuation, communicating with your family, and caring for pets.

Learn about warning sirens where you live. If you live within the Emergency Planning Zone of a nuclear power plant, become familiar with that siren and when it is being tested.

Choose a room in which to shelter. It should be an interior room with few or no windows, doors, or vents. If possible, choose a room with a water supply and a hard-wired telephone.

Prepare an emergency supply kit.

Know which local radio and TV stations broadcast emergency information.

Pre-cut pieces of plastic sheeting to seal cracks around windows, doors, and vents in case of a chemical, radiological, or biological threat (to prevent air contaminants from entering the room).

Learn CPR and/or first aid.

Designate a contact person outside of your area for family members to call in an emergency to report where they are.