FEMA highlights holiday gifts that keep you prepared for emergencies

FEMA has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared

This year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared.

Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencies in their area.

"Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere and the holiday season provides a great opportunity to ensure that you and your loved ones are taking simple steps to be prepared," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  "As families gather this holiday season, I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and discuss what you would do in case of an emergency or disaster. The public is the most important member of our nation's emergency response team and the more the public does to be prepared, the more successful this team will be."

The most important thing any individual can do is take a few minutes to discuss with their family, friends and loved ones what they will do in the case of an emergency or disaster. This includes developing a simple family communications plan and identifying how you would get in touch with loved ones and where you might meet if you are separated when an emergency or disaster takes place.

Additionally, there are simple supplies that can go a long way in the case of an emergency or disaster that would make great gifts this holiday season.

A list of possible gifts that may assist in disasters includes:

• Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits; food, water and prescription medications for

  "As families gather this holiday season, I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and discuss what you would do in case of an emergency or disaster"

  72 hours; i.e., extra clothing, blankets, and flashlights

• NOAA weather radios with extra batteries
• Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class
• Smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers (for kitchen, garage, car, etc.)
• Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire
• Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags)
• Pet disaster kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate)
• Battery powered lamps

This year, consider at least one of these ideas.  You just may save the life of a friend or family member.  For more information and preparedness tips, please visit www.ready.gov and http://www.fema.gov/.