It's springtime in the Midwest, and that means increased chances of severe weather. Extreme weather has increased in frequency and intensity. We are responding to nearly twice as many large disasters now compared to a decade ago.

Spring weather can lead to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, damaging winds and flooding. We know that planning is key to being ready for an emergency.

Being prepared is easy ─ just three short steps away:

1. Get a kit. Get your emergency preparedness kit ready. You should include:

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food and water — one gallon per person, per day for drinking and hygiene purposes

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit, medications and medical items

• Copies of all important documents (proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

• Extra cash

2. Make a plan. Talk with household members about what you would do during emergencies. Plan what to do in case you are separated — choose two places to meet — one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire, and another outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

• Choose a contact person from out of the area and make sure all household members have this person’s phone number and email address. It may be easier to call long distance or text if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service.

• Tell everyone in the household where emergency information and supplies are kept.

• Practice evacuating your home. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable.

• Don’t forget your pets. If you must evacuate, make arrangements for your animals. Keep a phone list of “pet friendly” motels/hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.
  

3. Be informed. Know the risks where you live, work, learn and play.

• Arm yourself with information about what to do in case an emergency occurs. Remember that emergencies like fires and blackouts can happen anywhere, so everyone should be prepared for them.

• Find out how you would receive information from local officials in the event of an emergency.

• Learn first aid and CPR/AED so that you have the skills to respond in an emergency before help arrives, especially during a disaster when emergency responders may not be as available. A variety of online, in-classroom and blended (part online and part in the classroom) training courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.