Floods in Pakistan, earthquakes in Haiti, wildfires in Russia - natural disasters can happen anywhere, to anyone.

That's why Americans are encouraged to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities during September, National Preparedness Month.

This year, the focus of National Preparedness Month is on getting everyone actively involved in emergency preparedness.

In fact, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart has become a member of the 2010 National Preparedness Month Coalition.

USAG Stuttgart joins more than 2,700 private and 50 military organizations in pledging support to building communities that will work together to take action during an emergency.

Emergency preparedness is much more than having smoke detectors, dead bolts and a fully stocked pantry.

Consider a severe winter storm that knocks out power for five days or a tornado, like the one in July that killed three people in Lower Saxony, Germany - do you have an emergency plan should a disaster strike'

Knowing what to do can save time, property and lives.

GET A KIT

"When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth," according to the Ready.gov website.

The website recommends having enough basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs.

While the website includes a printer-friendly list of basic emergency supplies, officials suggest that Americans consider where they live and the needs of their family in order to create a personalized emergency supply kit, and have one both at home and in their vehicles.

MAKE A PLAN

Families who have spent the time creating and exercising emergency plans are better prepared to respond to and recover from an emergency.

A plan spells out how you will communicate with your family members and where you will reunite with them.

An online application to help create your family emergency plan is available at http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared.

Preparedness begins with being informed of potential hazards.

The Ready Army website at www.ready.army.mil includes downloadable hazard fact sheets on weather, natural disasters, diseases and man-made hazards.