If disaster strikes... are you ready?

Is your home, your child's school, your workplace, your community?

To make sure you're prepared, Local 4 is teaming up with the Oakland County Health Department to show you what you can do to protect your family in the event of a disaster.

From tornadoes to a bio terrorist attack, Local 4 will teach you the critical steps that could save your life.

If you needed to leave your home in a hurry, would you have everything you need? According to officials, you should have a gallon of water per person per day, a flashlight that doesn't need batteries, and surgical masks for the entire family.

Have a downloadable Make A Go Kit with you if necessary.

Shopping for the essentials is key. Water and non-perishable foods are your best options. Look for cans that don't require a can opener. Experts say peanut butter and crackers is a great source. If you have a baby or small children, make sure you get the specialty items like diapers, formula, prescriptions. Don't forget your pets.

A small first aid kit is also required.

How can you be prepared at home, at school and work?

downloadable Make Yourself A Pandemic Checklist .

A hazardous material emergency can happen anywhere and at anytime. The Birmingham Fire Department staged a live practice drill showing viewers how to handle it.

Officials said your first instinct may be to evacuate, buit that's not always the safest thing to do. First, tune in to local television and radio for emergency instructions.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to find immediate shelter indoors where you are. If there are no evacuation orders, authorities will tell you to "shelter in place", which means ho insie immediately, close all windows, turn off fans or air conditioners. Grab your go Kit and wait in a room with the fewest windows for further instructions.

For your own Family Prepardeness Workbook, click here.