Wherever you are this summer—at home, a summer job or on campus—make sure you and your family/roommates can receive, understand and act on information received in an emergency.

An emergency food supply doesn’t have to sit on a shelf, ready for disaster to strike (although it can). It can be part of the food you use every day. The key to a good food storage plan is to buy ahead of time.

In a disaster you may be asked to shelter in place. During the excitement of an emergency, it can be difficult to focus on what you are doing. Know what to do to keep your family safe.

Whether you rely on municipal or well water, your water supply relies on electricity to run the system. During a power outage you may find yourself without a way to get water.

When an emergency happens, you may have to decide what to do very quickly, while you are worrying about what might happen. By planning ahead, it will be easier to make the right decisions when the worst happens.