Prepare, Don’t Despair provides general educational information about emergency preparedness for households, neighborhoods and congregations. It is written with care and cited to the agencies whose job preparedness is, but it is not an authority and it does not know your situation.
It does not replace
- Emergency authorities. Your county emergency management office, state agencies and federal agencies issue the instructions that apply to your area and your hazard. Where this site and they differ, they are right.
- Medical professionals. Nothing here is medical advice. Questions about medication, medical equipment, conditions or care belong to your physician, pharmacist or other licensed professional.
- Law enforcement and fire services. This site describes cooperating with public safety; it never stands in for it.
- Utility instructions. Your electric, gas and water providers tell you how to shut off, restore and use their services safely. Follow them.
- Building professionals. Whether a structure is safe to enter, occupy or repair is a question for a qualified inspector, engineer or contractor.
- Legal advice. Nothing here is legal advice, and nothing here creates a relationship with a lawyer.
In an active emergency
Follow local official guidance. If anyone is in danger, call 911. Do not wait to check this or any other website.
What this site knows about you
Almost nothing. The privacy page says exactly what is measured and what is not.
How this site handles facts
Nothing on this site is sold, and no product is recommended by brand. Every factual claim cites a source from the site’s registry, and every page carries a review status that says whether an editor has re-checked its claims against the cited pages. The editorial policy explains both. Errors are possible; if you find one, we would like to know.