These days, lay offs, government bail outs of failing companies, failing banks, inflation, companies closing, unemployment, natural disasters, mortgage foreclosures -- all are on our minds. We don't have to live a life of fear, always worrying about the "what if" and waiting for the other "shoe to drop."

However, to live a fearless life requires some preparation. You also need to learn to take care of yourself, and those you love, and you do so by being prepared to handle all sorts of emergencies before they happen.

The answer to surviving a disaster, crisis, or emergency is summed up in one word, "preparation." Take the time to plan ahead, and have in place an emergency system that works for you, your family, and even your pets. By doing so, you'll increase your chances of not only survival, but prevent these life altering events from becoming a downfall from which you can't recover.

You begin by preparing for everyday small disasters, for by preparing for them, you are ready for the unexpected and the unthinkable. If you've waited until the eleventh hour, it's time to get busy.

As a girl I often looked across the dinner table at "Chicken Little," well aware that he was a red-headed rooster who was dressed in disguise as my dad. Fear of impending disaster loomed in our household at all times, with evidence of it being served in the dessert of adult conversation at our table. If that wasn't enough, there was that daily reminder sitting in our backyard -- the bomb shelter and the surprise night time readiness drills that came with it.

In fact, I recently wrote a hub, The Sky Is Falling May Be A Sign Of Our Times touching lightly on the realities of the times we all lived through during that era. Serving in the Air Force in the aftermath of the Cold War only reinforced the anxiety. Bagging bodies and tagging the great right toe for identification, aren't memories you are likely to soon forget. Those were anxious times, just like today, where we are once again, living in confusing and anxious times. In a world of instant news, natural and man-made disasters are an every day occurrence.

Since my childhood, I have tried my best to live a fearless life, and counter-act any of those inherited gut feelings of doom and despair. I've lived through ice storms, 52 inches of snow, month long power outages, earthquakes, hurricanes, drought, floods, and tornadoes. I've lived through personal loss by way of death, disease, alcohol and drugs, accidents and illnesses.

I've survived losing people I loved, lost everything I ever owned (more than once), lost jobs, unemployment, and of course, went through personal financial disasters that came my way by either sheer naive stupidity, or hardheaded poor choices. I mention these events solely, because they've given me a foundation to firmly know that to "not plan" for emergencies is absolutely the worst thing that you can do for yourself and your family.

It all boils down to personal responsibility, accepting the fact that you need to be responsible for yourself, your spouse, your children, and elderly family members. Here are some basic things to contemplate:

No brainer: Don't wait for our government to help you, assume you must help yourself.

No brainer: The last thing you want to do is wait until disaster is upon you to figure out what you need and don't have.

• Look at your preparations as a kind of insurance that you don't pay a monthly premium for.
• Cash, emergency supplies, etc. all translate to being able to have peace-of-mind when you close your eyes at night. It's also about being a responsible adult.
• Realize that emergency services can instantly become non-existent when a real disaster strikes, this means: There will be no 911 help unless you are bleeding or dying, and that may not show up in a timely manner or at all. Meaning that power and other public utilities can be non-existent for weeks or even months. Meaning that insurance companies, federal and state promises of help, FEMA, the Red Cross, etc. all take time and some of that promised help may not ever materialize.

Every family should be aware that in an emergency, important documents need to be ready to grab and go in a hurry. This is no time to be going through your files, trying to sort out what is important and what isn't. There are several ways to safeguard these documents:

• Scan to CD disc, your passports, photo ID, insurance policies, retirement documents, military discharge documents, birth certificates, marriage documents, etc.
• Scan to CD disc, your family photos.

Keep this information on several duplicate discs in different locations, such as in your Grab N' Go 72 Hour bags, in a safety deposit box, at a trusted family or friend's home in another part of the country, etc.

• Additionally, make duplicate copies of the same documents and do the same.
• Most importantly, safeguard the originals in fireproof, waterproof, safes that are portable. Keeping in mind that you may not have the time or be able to retrieve them in a emergency situation.

Home emergency provisions, need not be expensive and can be accumulated gradually as a routine part of both your grocery shopping and regular shopping. Contrary to what some would have you to believe, you can and should assemble these emergency home provisions, rather than buy pre-assembled ones that possibly won't suit your needs in a true emergency.

You will find that many of the items listed here, are things that you already own. If you don't have them, then you need to consider making them a priority to have on hand.

Home emergency provisions are for the unexpected things that just happen in life. You cannot predict that a natural disaster or local emergency will not strike where you live, regardless of your location in this country. Weather related events can turn out unexpectedly, even with the high tech warning systems we have in place today.

First, the basic home emergency rules:

• Make sure your supplies are portable (not to big or heavy) and in water-tight containers.
• Make sure your supplies are in one convenient place, not scattered all over the house and garage.
• Keep at home at the exact number of gallons your car's tank holds of gasoline per car (use and replace every four months) in ventilated gasoline cans.
• Have a plan on where to meet if you should become separated
• Remember, not only have batteries become expensive, they don't last forever. Keeping them too long has it's own hazards, as many of us have accidentally found out. Windup radios and windup flashlights are the only way to go, and well worth the modest expense.

Second, 72-Hour Grab N' Go Emergency Backpacks (1 for each family member), with:

• Picture and personal identification, including health insurance card copies, name of personal physician (in ziplock plastic bag)
• Personal medical information, including a list of any food or medical allergies (in ziplock plastic bag)
• Socks
• Underwear
• Sweat shirt
• Something to sleep in
• Cash in small denominations (including quarters)
• Something age appropriate to do (books, crosswords, comic books, etc.)
• Surgical or protective face mask
• Trash bag
• At least 3 16-oz bottles of water
• Camping roll
• Pillow
• Crank style flashlight
• Crank style radio
• Whistle
• Pocket knife
• Sneakers or sturdy shoes
• Local map
• Some non-perishable food
• Photos of other family members and pets for reuniting purposes should they get separated
• 5 days supply of any prescription medications
• Small first aid kit
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Baby wipes
• Shampoo (dry shampoo, waterless shampoo, or a.k.a. astronaut shampoo, available from any drug store if you ask the pharmacist, costs only a couple of dollars)
• Personal hygiene items
• Extra keys to house
• Extra keys to vehicle
• Special needs items pertinent to that family member (such as diapers, etc. for infants; or seniors, or the disabled)
• Water purification tablets
• Disposable lighter
• Emergency rain pancho (these can be purchased for a couple of bucks in any Walmart or camping supply store)
• Lightweight camping roll, tightly and compactly in it's original bag (many today have built-in blow up pillows)

Grab n' Go bag (a.k.a. bug out bag or 72 hour bag) is for in the event that you would have to evacuate quickly. Make sure each bag has an I.D. tag with full name, address, and at least two cell phone contact numbers. Keep each bag as light as possible!

Third, food supplies:

Keep on hand at least one month's supply of non-perishable, non refrigerated food (items that you would and do use, rotating them through the pantry at least every four months for freshness). Also, dried foods with a long shelf life, such as Ramin noodles work well.

Fourth, water supply:

• Keep on hand at least five gallons of bottled water per person in your family
• If you have something like a hurricane, winter snow storm, or tropical storm headed your way and have time to prepare -- fill any bath tubs with water (for flushing your toilets when the power goes out.
• Remember that your hot water heater is a hidden supply of about fifty gallons of drinking water. In an unexpected disaster, shutting off the valve connecting your water heater to the house plumbing will give you this back up source of drinking water.
• Remember that the water outside your house may be "gray water" in some communities, and should be treated as "not safe" to drink water, even for your pets.
• A supply of water purification tablets
• Unscented bleach for water purification
• Eyedropper for water purification

Fifth, the basic home emergency supplies:

• Manual can opener
• Paper plates
• Plastic utensils
• Paper or plastic cups
• First Aid Kit
• Copy of all important documents and phone numbers in a sealed plastic bag
• Heavy work gloves for each family member
• Disposable cameras
• Toilet paper
• Feminine supplies
• Hand sanitizer
• Bar soap
• Tarps
• Duct Tape
• Utility knife
• Crowbar
• Hammer
• Nails
• Staple Gun with staples
• Adjustable wrench
• Bungee cords
• 5 gallon buckets (at least 4)
• Shovels (1 for each adult)
• Fire extinguisher
• Chain saw, gasoline powered
• Kerosene or oil lanterns and fuel for them
• Large supply of heavy duty trash bags
• A cheap corded phone that is not electricity dependent
• Barbecue (propane or charcoal or both)
• Shop vac with wet/dry vac and water pump
• Gas Pressure Washer (optional but good idea to own if you live in a hurricane or flood prone area)
• Gasoline powered generator
• Dormitory size refrigerator that can keep food stuff and drinks cold off a generator, much easier than a regular size refrigerator can
• Fans
• Several coolers
• Work gloves
• Rubber gloves
• Wire saw
• Hand saw

Rule #1: Keep your car tank full as much as possible

Rule #2: Never allow your car tank to go below half full

Keep in your car trunk in a plastic tote:

• Blankets (preferably the kind that are waterproof on one side)
• Hand cranked radio
• Hand cranked flashlight
• Bottled water (replace regularly)
• Non-perishable foods
• A second 72-hour grab n' go pack for each family member you are responsible for
• An extra pair of comfortable sneakers and socks in case you have to walk a long distance, something you don't want to be doing in flip-flops or heels

Farm families and those of us who have lived in remote areas, are acutely aware that it's also important to keep certain basic auto repair needs on hand. When you live miles from anywhere, it's hugely inconvenient to have to spend a half day or more going to town and back, just to get a needed part for your car, truck, or tractor. It also makes sense to buy certain routinely used items in duplicate to have what you need on hand both for emergencies, and for convenience.

Here are some examples of what to keep at home:

• A case of oil
• An oil filter, oil filter wrench
• Air filter
• Carburetor filter
• Battery charger
• Battery cables
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Windshield wiper fluid
• Replacement fuses
• O-rings
• Hose clamps
• Extra fan belt

Some of the above items are also necessary to keep in your vehicle in a plastic tote. Here are some recommendations:

• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid
• 1 quart of oil
• Battery cables
• Hose clamps
• Emergency auto repair kit
• Spare tire
• Jack
• Electrical tape
• Duct tape

Keep $200 in cash on your person at all times, this isn't money to be spent on the incredible sale you come across, but for a bonafide emergency when you are away from your home.

This small amount will at least get you a hotel, transportation away from the area, or food. It is also handy for minor automobile emergencies that can be fixed on the spot or at a nearby gas station. It's one small thing you can do to keep yourself from a bad situation in an unexpected disaster.

Keep a small flashlight on your key-chain (there are no emergency lights in subway stations, hotels, etc.)

There is a lot of discussion these days about having a $2,000 debit card for emergencies. Basically, in a real emergency without electricity, there is no place to use them, there is no ATM to get cash out. You need a much broader plan.

In times of natural disasters, when you can purchase needed items, you may run into the situation of the seller not having any change. At minimum, you should keep at least:

• 100 one dollar bills
• 40 five dollar bills
• 20 ten dollar bills

Don't limit your emergency funds to cash, since even in natural disaster, that becomes real useless real fast. Trading goods and bartering items, such as non-perishable foodstuffs has a whole lot more merit.

Having been in war torn countries, and third world countries, I can only advise that you think about what the "real currency" is in times of trouble. Nine times out of ten, money (paper and coin) is useless. Real currency comes in terms of basic human needs, food, water, shelter, comfort.

Setting aside the things that people covet and miss, can make all the difference in the world, when it comes to your own survival. Non-cash currency in the most basic of terms, that have literally saved my life and made survival possible have been having alcohol, tobacco, fuel, food stuffs, seed, silver ingots and gold.

It took several minor emergencies to teach me that it's important, to also to keep emergency kit in your office or place of work. The following personal experiences are just a couple of examples. The first one wasn't something I ever considered until the unthinkable, unpredictable, happened. It wasn't a natural disaster, but the act of one unfortunate mentally ill person.

On March 30, 1981, I worked in Hospital Administration, at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. when John Hinckley Jr. shot President Reagan. The world as we knew it, was turned upside down for a number of days. While food, a place to rest, and other necessities were provided for us, not having an emergency plan in place, left a lot of food for thought.

I had no reason to know that morning when I left for work, that I would be forced by national circumstances to remain at work for quite a number of days. Once the President was inside our hospital, we were forbidden to go home, leave the inside of the hospital, or even speak to anyone outside the office, simply because of security concerns. They needed time to secure the area of the hospital where the President and his family were located after his surgery.

This was especially hard for me, as I had two small children in the care of a new babysitter that I didn't know very well. I was newly separated from my children's father, who was the editor of a national news broadcasting company, so this also meant I could not speak with him or see him. I was allowed only two quick monitored phone calls by the Secret Service. From this experience I learned that it is vital to have an emergency plan, should you not be able to get home for a number of days, not only for the care of any children, but also pets, and your home.

Another emergency that occurred while at work, was when the power went out across the urban city I worked in in during an unexpected heavier snow storm. This time, we were without heat, food sources, running water, and once able to leave the building, felt our way down eleven flights of completely dark stairs. Although the storm was over, there was simply no place to go until the streets were cleared, and the power was restored, which was another two days. From this experience, I learned that it's important to have at least some emergency supplies on hand.

Office or At Work Emergency Provisions:

• Windup flashlight
• Prescription medications
• Some bottled water
• 3 days of non-perishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• 1 change of clothes (including a sweat shirt or sweater)
• Something casual to sleep in and relax in
• A small amount of hidden change and cash

Just as your are responsible for your children, you are also responsible in a disaster for the four legged pets that are a part of your family. You need to have a disaster plan in place for them, this means:

• One crate for each pet, that are large enough for your pet to turn around in and to spend large amounts of time in if necessary
• Dry shampoo
• Pet ear cleaning solution
• Pet treats
• Pet food for five days
• Water for five days
• Pet toy
• ID for each pet
• Current photos of each pet, with a physical description (in case they should get lost)
• Any medications your pet may be taking
• Plastic grocery bags to pick up your pet's waste
• Extra leashes
• Muzzle, if your pet is aggressive
• Copies of vet information and rabies and license certificates (you cannot take them to a shelter with you, without them)
• Plastic containers with lid for water
• Plastic containers with lid for food

Note: If your pet is of the sort that is unusually nervous by nature, you can ask your veterinarian to prescribe a sedative to keep on hand for travel (or emergencies).

More than anything, arming yourself and your family members (including children) with knowledge in basic life skills, can make the difference in surviving and in thriving in tough times.

• Make sure that everyone, young and old knows how to turn off the gas, power, and water in your house.
• Make sure everyone knows how to use a fire extinguisher.
• Make sure everyone knows how to swim.
• Make sure everyone knows how to start a fire and put out a fire properly.
• Make sure your children learn how to cook.
• Know how to purify water.
• Know how to plan for any emergency.
• Make sure all young children know their address, your names in full, and phone numbers.