MIRAMAR, Fla. -- Federal officials are urging Americans to stockpile water, nonperishable food, and cash among other items to prepare for a possible terror attack. The feds says the warnings were motivated by caution -- not specific information, but they also suggest having duct tape and plastic sheeting on hand to cover windows, doors and vents to the outdoors -- suggesting worries about a chemical, biological of "dirty bomb" attack.

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But before you head to Home Depot or the survivalist store instead of Hallmark to shop for your Valentine, it might help to keep the following advice in mind: be cautious, but be realistic.

The fact is that while the country is at increased risk of a terrorist attack, particularly as it readies for a possible war with Iraq, experts say the risk to individual Americans is small. At much greater risk are high-profile targets like landmarks or major government institutions.

In explaining to the Senate Armed Services Committee why the nation's terror alert system had been raised to orange -- or 'high alert" -- last week, CIA director George Tenet said on Tuesday that given the choice, "al-Qaida terrorists will choose attacks that achieve multiple objectives, striking prominent landmarks, inflicting mass casualties, causing economic disruption and rallying support through shows of strength ... The bottom line here ... is that al-Qaida is living in the expectation of resuming the offensive."

Tenet also warned of the risk to "soft targets" -- largely unsecured places where lots of people gather, like hotels or theme parks.

Tenet's warnings were enough to make some Americans want to stay home -- permanently -- but the government's warnings have also implied that home might not be such a safe place to be. In fact, many people say the fed's warnings and advice are confusing -- focusing largely on how to secure individual homes -- supposedly the least likely targets of a terror attack.

Even local agencies, like the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, are cautioning Americans to take extra precautions to secure their homes in case a chemical or biological attack causes deadly toxins to be dispersed through the air.

Still, some experts are saying that despite the heightened alerts, people should replace panic with common sense. The Southeast Florida Domestic Security Task Force issued a statement this week saying Floridians should prepare for the threat of terrorism the same way they prepare for a hurricane -- including keeping a three-to-seven day supply of drinking water, nonperishable food, a small amount of cash along with a first aid kit, a radio, a flashlight and lots of batteries. (Click here for the full list.)

As for the duct tape and other materials to seal up the windows in your home, experts disagree on whether that is a necessary step. The Domestic Security Task Force says it is a good idea, but terrorism experts like MSNBC analyst Chris Whitcomb say duct tape and plastic sheeting "are not the answer."

"If the government had told people to go out and buy refrigerators and computers instead, we'd have an economic recovery," Whitcomb told Pat Buchanan of MSNBC's "Buchanan and Press" on Wednesday.

And most experts caution that the gas masks that are flying off the shelves at Army surplus stores across the country would be all-but useless in the event of a biological or chemical attack. The main reason, according to Jacqueline Cattani, director of the Center for Biological Defense at the University of South Florida, is that such an attack would come without warning -- meaning that you and your gas mask would not likely be in the same place at the time of the attack. In addition, only masks with a HEPA filter will truly block out deadly fumes, and other chemical agents can enter through the skin, making the mask useless without a head-to-toe HAZMAT suit.

What most experts do agree on is having one place in the home where family members are designated to meet in the event of a chemical, biological or other attack, plus a way to seal the airways under the door and around windows (a good towel will probably do).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA -- Web site) also advises families to create a "disaster plan," including plans on how to contact family members in an emergency, and a place to meet in case telephone service is disrupted and you're not at home.

Most importantly, authorities say people should be calm, alert and aware. Experts advise people to be aware of their surroundings, pay attention to anything that looks suspicious, and report anything unusual to police.

Beyond that, experts say, there is little that average people can do to prevent an attack. Perhaps that is the reason for the seemingly contradictory messages: prepare for a possible, and increasingly likely -- terror attack, and then go about your normal life.

Government's Suggested List

What to do to prepare for a chemical or biological attack

Battery-powered commercial radio with extra batteries.

Non-perishable food and drinking water.

Roll of duct tape and scissors.

Plastic for doors, windows and vents for the room in which you will shelter in place -- this should be an internal room where you can block out air that may contain hazardous chemical or biological agents. To save critical time during an emergency, sheeting should be pre-measured and cut for each opening.

First aid kit.

Sanitation supplies including soap, water and bleach.

FULL LIST