The Red Cross says families should select two places to meet in the event of a disaster: right outside the home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, or outside the neighbourhood if they can't return home. Ask an out-of-state friend to be a contact for your family members because it is often easier to call long distance after a disaster. All members of the family should call that number and report their whereabouts. Plan to care for the infirmed and for pets.

Medicine and other first-aid supplies, flashlights, plenty of batteries, a battery-powered radio or television, bottled water, non-perishable food and a manual can-opener, sleeping bags, clothing, sanitation supplies, birth certificates, passports, driver's licenses and other important documents in a waterproof container, a credit card, cash, an extra pair of glasses. For parents of infants – diapers and food for your pet. The Red Cross suggests storing it all in sturdy, easy-to-carry backpacks or duffle bags.

No. Officials say schools may be the safest place for children in some circumstances. The Red Cross encourages parents to learn about the emergency plan at their child's school and about the kind of authorisation required to take a child out of school.

It would be unnatural for parents to pretend they are not concerned, but it is important that the way parents handle the anxiety will determine how well their children do. Don't let children see panic. Engage in activities that bring families together, such as cooking or painting a room.

If authorities order an evacuation, move swiftly by rail, car or foot to leave the area.

If they tell you to go inside and seal yourself off, move quickly. Go inside or stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors, close the damper of fireplaces, and shut off heating, cooling and ventilating systems. If a safe room with few or no windows has been selected, go there.

Have inside a battery-operated radio, food, water, a first-aid kit. Install plastic sheeting over windows and vents with long strips of duct tape to enhance air tightness.

The edges of any doors should be covered with long strips of duct tape. If duct tape won't block the space at door's bottom, stuff a wet towel there. Also tape over electrical outlets.

Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air to prevent the build-up of carbon dioxide for upto five hours. There's no telling how long an emergency would last. Use your judgment in picking a room that can be enclosed and sustain your family for some time.

It won't protect against radiation from a dirty bomb. Experts say that for chemical attacks, it can help prevent the spread of chemical vapours and aerosols.

If the electricity is out, wireless systems in your home whose base stations require power will not work. Cell phones should continue working, though sheer volume could overload capacity, and authorities could send out an alert telling people to stay off cellular networks so they can be used for emergencies.