National PREPAREDNESS Month

National Preparedness Month, observed each September since 2004, serves as a reminder that we must all take steps to prepare for emergencies. When disaster happens, we are the first ones in our communities to act before first responders arrive.  It is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.
 
Here are some great tips to help you and your family get ready:

• Create an Emergency Communication Plan for you and your family by asking yourself: “What if?”, “What if something happens and I’m not with my family?” “How will I know they are safe?” “How can I let them know I’m OK?” Download the guide to create your plan here.

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• Consider creating an emergency savings account to use during disasters. Taking the time now to save can help you have a peace of mind in the event of an emergency.

 

• Prepare your financial records before a disaster.  Your first focus after a disaster are your loved ones and once things settle down having all your documents ready will help your have a smoother recovery process. Download the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit from Ready.gov.

 

• Have your family and friends to download a group texting app so you can keep in touch before, during & after an emergency.

 

• Once you have a plan in place discuss it with your family and practice emergency drills with you them regularly.  

 

• Plan your evacuation: Identify several places you could go in an emergency, if needed identify a place to stay that will accept pets, Be familiar with alternate routes and  Always follow the instructions of local officials.

 

• Contact your power company and ask if they can add you to a “priority reconnection service” list of power-dependent customers if you rely on electrical medical equipment.

 

• Sign up for your local county’s and city’s emergency alerts.

 

• Put smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly. Be sure to replace every 10 year.

 

• Protect your family by installing a carbon monoxide detector.

 

• Anywhere it rains, it can flood. When you get coverage and remember that it takes 30 days for most policies to fully kick in. Learn more at: www.floodsmart.gov 

 

• Keep up to date pictures of your property to provide to insurance companies if you need to file a claim.

 

• Take picture or scan all your important documents, such as insurance policies, birth certificates and health insurance cards to keep on hand in case of a disaster.

 
Tip Sources (all from Ready.gov): https://www.ready.gov/september

Additional Resources:
Evacuation: https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family
Flood: https://www.ready.gov/floods
Hurricanes: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
Pets Disaster Plan Guide: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1392389819026-75460345a2f4adcc5418a1da7cb25eef/2014_PrinterFriendly_PetOwners.pdf