With so many natural disasters happening around the world and right here at home, more and more people are thinking about the risks in their community. If there's one thing the nation learned from Hurricane Katrina, it's that you can't always count on the government to be able to respond immediately. It's up to each of us to prepare our families as best we can.

Know the Risks

What are the risks in your area? People on the west coast have a higher risk of earthquakes and tsunamis than those on the east coast where cyclones and flooding are of larger concern. When you know the local hazards you can better prepare for them, thus lessening the effects. For instance, in an earthquake zone, mitigate danger by securing heavy objects that might topple over and removing from mirrors and heavy items hanging above sleeping areas. In cyclone-prone areas, clear property of loose debris that could become deadly in high winds, and build storm shutters.

Make a Plan

Discuss the risks with your family and make a plan for different scenarios. Make sure everyone knows what to do in event of disaster. Practice the evacuation routes in your house and make sure there are two exits from every room, in case one is blocked. Choose a local nearby spot where all family members will meet if you have to evacuate the house. Designate an out-of-town contact that all family members can check in with. This way you'll know that your family is safe, even if you are away from home or separated during the disaster.

Make a Kit

This will include things like non-perishable food and water, basic tools, a first aid kit, hygiene items, comfort items and snacks, books and games, a flashlight and extra batteries, a spare set of warm clothes, extra keys, family photos, some money or travelers checks (in case ATMs aren't working) and copies of important documents like wills, insurance, and banking info. You can find more detailed lists on the Internet. You should be prepared to survive for up to a week without help, and should include two weeks of essential prescriptions. Don't forget to pack extra food and water for your pets.

Now this may seem like an expensive undertaking, especially if you're on a limited budget. Don't despair. Just because you can't afford to put it together all at once does not mean you should give up on the idea altogether. Start small: try to buy an extra can of food every time you go to the grocery store. Find supplies at garage sales and second hand stores. Look around the house for items you already have. Should disaster strike you'll be grateful for whatever you've managed to get together, and it may be just what you need to get you through until help arrives.

Develop a Network

Get to know your neighbors and develop at least three contacts in the area. Make an agreement to check on each other in case of a disaster. You may want to exchange keys or make arrangements to share the cost of bigger items such as generators. In a real disaster, having a strong network of prepared neighbors will help everyone weather the storm better.

With a little preplanning you can take some of the fear out of a major disaster. You can never predict what will happen, but you can help soften the blow.

Learn all about Florida's Emerald Coast, and the Destin real estate market, at EdKirkland.com. Our users enjoy a free comprehensive home search, home marketing tips, and extensive information on local communities, such as the Grayton Beach real estate area.