Stay Healthy

At a glance

In addition to being prepared with emergency supplies, you must know how to protect your family from post-disaster threats and hazards, including power outages, and their effects on personal health, public health, and healthcare.

Close-up of white hands lathering with a bar of soap next to running water of a bathroom sink faucet.

The Basics

  • Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors at least once a month to prevent CO poisoning. CO is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled.
  • Pre-identify emergency departments, urgent care centers, dialysis centers, hemophilia treatment centers, veterinarians, etc. near your home and along your designated evacuation route.
  • Learn and teach others practical skills, including safe generator use, to prepare for post-disaster health hazards, such as carbon monoxide.
  • Pet owners: Plan where you and your pets will stay in case you need to evacuate your home. Pets may not be allowed in local shelters, unless they are service animals.
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Content Source:
Office of Readiness and Response