Local Citizen Corps Councils will:

• Promote and strengthen the Citizen Corps programs at the community level, such as Volunteers in Police Service programs, CERT teams, Medical Reserve Corps units, and Neighborhood Watch groups;
• Provide opportunities for special skills and interests;
• Develop targeted outreach for the community, including special needs groups;
• Provide opportunities of training in first aid and emergency preparedness;
• Organize special projects and community events;
• Encourage cooperation and collaboration among community leaders; and
• Capture smart practices and report accomplishments; and
• Create opportunities for all residents to participate.

Starting a Citizen Corps Council in your area will help create the groundwork for the long-term security of our neighborhoods, our communities, and our nation.

 Here are some tips you can do right now to be safer!

• Check and change the batteries in your smoke alarms and replace all alarms that are more than 10 years old.
   
• Make sure you know where your local fire department, police station, and hospital are and post a list of emergency phone numbers posted near all the telephones in your home.
   
• Organize and practice a family fire drill -- make sure your children know what your smoke detector sounds like and what to do if it goes off when they are sleeping.
   
• Locate the utility mains for your home and be sure you know how to turn them off manually: gas, electricity, and water.
   
• Create an emergency plan for your household, including your pets. Decide where your family will meet if a disaster does happen: 1) right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire and 2) outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home -- ask an out of town friend to be your "family contact" to relay messages.
   
• Prepare a 3-day disaster supply kit, complete with flashlights, batteries, blankets, and an emergency supply of water and food (and pet food!).
   
• Plan to hold a Neighborhood Watch meeting -- your local Sheriffs' office or police station can help you get started or visit www.usaonwatch.org for more information.
   
• Check the expiration dates of all over-the-counter medications -- discard all that are expired and replace any that are routinely needed.
   
• Make sure all cleaning products and dangerous objects are out of children's reach.
   
• Plan to sign up for a first aid training course. Call your local American Red Cross chapter or National Safety Council to ask about courses in your area (www.redcross.org or www.nsc.org).
• Visit with your neighbors and discuss how you would handle a disaster in your area. Talk to neighbors with special needs and help them become safer too!