As in any period of heightened alert, you should review basic steps to ensure you’re prepared for any emergency.

• Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, call the NYPD counterterrorism hotline at 1-888-NYC-SAFE or call 311. As always, call 911 in an emergency.

• OEM's Ready New York Household Preparedness Guide offers planning tips to help you prepare at home, but it's important to have a plan for all the places you spend time, such as school or work.

• Pack a Go Bag. A Go-Bag is an easy-to-carry collection of items you may need in the event of an evacuation. Go Bag basics include a flashlight, personal radio, first aid supplies, drinking water, dust mask, comfortable walking shoes, street, bus & subway maps, a spare set of keys, $50-100 in cash, and your identification. If you need them for emergencies, include medication, copies of important documents & prescriptions. LDRNY also has a Ready-2-Go bag available.

• Adapt Your Disaster Plan for School or the Workplace.
Learn alternate ways to get home If you normally take the subway, learn local bus routes. If you take the bus, familiarize yourself with subway options. Keep copies of bus and subway maps in your go bag. Find out if ferry services are available near you.