Summer vacations take a lot of planning and packing. If you travel to a hurricane-prone area, make sure you plan for a possible storm.

Whether taking a road trip or traveling abroad, stay safe with resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of State , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Find out the hurricane risk of your destination. Then, follow tips from the Ready Campaign:

• Create a Communication Plan to stay in contact with friends and family.
• Download the FEMA App for weather alerts and safety tips.
• When packing for a plane, train, or bus, consider a small emergency kit with a flashlight, batteries, and a spare USB power bank.
• Stock your trunk with emergency items for a road trip.
• If you travel with a pet, include some pet supplies .

To learn more, visit Ready.gov/Hurricanes . 

If you plan to barbecue this Memorial Day or anytime this summer, keep yourself, children, pets, and property safe.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends the following tips for preventing burns and controlling the flames while you grill outside:

• Only use your grill outside. Keep it away from siding and deck rails.
• Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill.
• Open your gas grill before lighting.
• Use long-handled barbecue tools.
• Keep a three-foot safe zone around grills, fire pits, and campfires. This will help keep kids and pets safe.
• Never leave your grill, fire pit, or patio torches unattended.
• Clean your grill after each use. This will remove grease that can start a fire.
• Place the coals on your grill in a metal can with a lid once they have cooled.

For more information on first aid for burns or fire prevention during the summer months, visit the USFA Summer Fire Safety page .

As summer approaches, now is a great time to prepare your home for warmer weather and beat the heat with a cool house.

Extreme heat may affect your health or the health of those around you. Learn ways to reduce the heat in your home. The Ready Campaign recommends the following measures to keep your home cool this summer:

• Check to see if your home's cooling system is working properly.
• Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the cool air inside.
• Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
• Keep storm windows up all year.

Find more information on extreme heat preparedness at www.ready.gov/heat .