Be prepared to leave home at moment's notice

We have all been witness to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We never know when we are going to be called upon to leave at a moment's notice. Could you leave your home if a police officer knocked on your door?

• PEOPLE: Have a plan for getting out of the house and make sure everyone knows it. Have an emergency bag of food and water for your family. Include wholesome snacks and treats for the children: dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers and granola bars.

• PETS: Keep pet carriers and leashes readily available to lead pets to safety. Also, take pet food with you.

• PICTURES: Keep negatives or CDs of pictures in a lock box or at a family member's home. Have picture albums in one place ready to grab and go.

• PAPERS: Have all your important papers in a lock box at a bank and only keep copies at the house. This keeps you from panicking. If you have them at home then put them in a folder that you can easily grab if you have to move fast. Color code it so you can find it!

• PRESCRIPTIONS: Take your medications with you. Don't forget the ones that have to be refrigerated, like insulin. Have a small ice chest and cold packs readily accessible to pack and go. If you have babies, remember their formula or medications.

• PURSES: This is where you keep your identification, credit cards and cash. Keep a stash of cash for emergencies and grab it. You may not be able to use an ATM in the event of a power outage.

• PROPER CLOTHES and COMFORT ITEMS: According to the weather conditions, gather up a change of clothes along with outer clothing: coats, rain gear, boots, gloves and hats. If you have babies, remember diapers. Remember to grab your children's favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy. A game or a deck of cards could keep them occupied.

• PLANNER/CALENDAR/CONTROL JOURNAL: These documents have all the information you will need from phone numbers, insurance numbers and important dates. They are small and filled with things you don't have to try to remember.

• PERSONAL PROTECTION: Many of us still have that "time of the month." Be sure and grab a box of your preferred protection. It may be hard to find if you have been evacuated. Stress can cause our bodies to do strange things, too. So be prepared. Take medication for cramps, too.