Disasters are no new predicament, but when recent catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina, the Asian tsunami, and the wildfires in Southern California fill every media outlet and pervade our conscience, it begs the question: Are you and your partner prepared for a disaster?

If you haven't yet put a solid disaster plan together with your partner, you're not alone. According to a recent Red Cross poll, seven of 10 respondents were only somewhat prepared, with 69 percent not even committed to a meeting place to reunite with family members. The rest of the numbers are fairly bleak. The numbers reveal that 59 to 73 percent had no emergency contact, plan for their pets, specific evacuation plan nor had practiced their family disaster plan. That being said, 52 percent of Americans do have a disaster supplies kit, an increase from 45 percent last year.

Morley Ivers, president of American Family Safety (AFS), which distributes emergency survival products and education materials to families and businesses, says establishing a plan for emergencies should be a top priority. Two things Ivers recommends are creating a family communication plan and having the necessary supplies.

The AFS site has a free printable family communication plan form developed by the Department of Homeland Security. Once completed, you'll hold all the information for you and your partner, covering everything from emergency contacts to your pet's vet. Be sure to print out at least two copies. "Taking a couple of minutes to communicate and fill out this information will relieve one of the greatest stresses -- not knowing where your family is," says Ivers.

An agreed-upon meeting spot is vital for you and your partner, says Ivers, whose wife knows where to meet him if something happens. And if you have children, discuss who will be in charge of picking them up from school. Depending on your geography, you should meet in an area least susceptible to a natural disaster. If your region is flooding, head to higher ground. With an earthquake, open outside areas like parks are good, but make sure there are no large buildings nearby that may crumble. Ivers says local communication will be down, so establishing an out-of-state contact will allow that person to be your "communication hub." This enables you to let the person know you are safe and relay any message to your partner, who can do the same.

To protect yourself at and away from home you will need: food, water, radio, flashlight and first aid kit. AFS has Department of Homeland Security approved 72-hour Emergency Preparedness Kits, among several others tailored to specific disasters. Kits may also have extra essentials like gloves, a mask, a utility wrench and thermal blankets. You may want to consider not only keeping a kit in the home, but one in the car and maybe at your office.

You could assemble one on your own (do the math, though, it may be more economical to buy a kit). Ivers warns that both bottled water and canned foods have a shelf life, with the latter often high in sodium, increasing thirst. AFS does offer water and food rations certified by the U.S. Coast Guard that have a five-year shelf life; some competitors do as well.

Ivers may be promoting his business, but being caught in the 2003 Northeast blackout spurred his launch of AFS. "I was stuck with no batteries for my flashlight and no food," recalls Ivers. "It was an absolute mess." With greater consequences at the hands of an even bigger catastrophe, the chaos and confusion without a plan in place can only elevate the devastation for you. Says Ivers, "It's all about responsibility and planning ahead of time."

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