The American Red Cross encourages everyone to prepare for disasters and other emergencies where they live, work and play.

But, what happens when you travel?

The American Red Cross offers the following tips to help people prepare for the unexpected when traveling:

-- Pack essential items, such as: high protein snacks, water, first aid kit, flashlight, small battery-operated radio, an emergency contact card with names and phone numbers, extra prescription medications and important documents or information you may need.

-- Let family and friends know your itinerary. Make sure family members or friends know where you will be staying and how to reach you. In a disaster situation, you can register on the Safe and Well website on redcross, so family and friends have access to this information.

-- Make a plan. Find out what the disaster safety procedures are where you are staying. Identify how you would get out of the building in case you need to evacuate. Also, locate safe places inside should you need to take cover during a disaster, such as an earthquake or tornado.

-- Have emergency numbers ready. Make a list of important numbers of emergency responders (police, fire), and, if traveling internationally, register with the U.S. Department of State. Make sure your friends and family have these numbers as well.

-- Know the area before you travel. Learn about the area you are visiting. Find out what disasters may occur in the place where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before. Find out how you would get information in the event of a disaster (local radio systems, emergency alert systems).

-- Pay attention to the local forecast. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storm seasons, severe heat and other regional challenges that could impact your safety.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

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