Earthquakes. Tornadoes. Fire. Flood. These are just a few of the calamities that might occur in our lives. Are you prepared?

Take some of the stress away by planning ahead of time. One thing families should design is a meeting place. It's terrifying to be unsure where your family members are in a time like this, and having a plan in is the best way to eliminate that worry.

You'll need more than one meeting place, because different types of emergencies create different needs.

• Inside Your Home: Some emergencies suggest "shelter in place". That means to stay where you are. For example, in case of a severe storm, the family should plan to meet in a basement, crawl space, or interior room, preferably without windows. Use logic. If there is a flood or fire, don't get stuck in the basement.

• Near Your Home: Another meeting place should be designated near, but not in or next to your home, such as the mailbox or a neighbor's house. This would be used in the case of a fire or a similar problem.

• Neighborhood: Next, choose a meeting place that is near, but not right around your house, like a school or church. You'd use this in case the area by your house is no longer accessible due to a damaged road after an earthquake or downed trees preventing access.

• Distance Meeting Place: Finally, pick a place to meet that's even farther away, perhaps even outside your hometown. Severe situations, such as war, could cause this to be important. One example would be a family member's home that is situated in a centralized location.

• Another great idea is to establish a message spot. This would be a place where family members could leave a note for others, giving their location in a time of emergency. This information will be critical--and an enormous relief--in instances of downed communications. Examples include under a designated rock in your yard or inside a special container in the storage shed.

Make sure little children understand about the family meeting places. Practicing this is a great idea.

Choose your designated places soon. After all, it should take only a few minutes to settle on the various meeting spots, and can make a huge difference in case of an emergency.