NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. The goal of the month is to increase public awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and to encourage individuals to take action.

steps include: getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about the different emergencies that may affect them, as well as taking the necessary steps to get trained and become engaged in community preparedness and response efforts.

For more information on the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, please visit http://www.ready.gov/ or http://www.listo.gov/. Information is also available by phone at 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  
• Flashlight and extra batteries
  
• First aid kit
  
• Whistle to signal for help, clothing: keep an extra set of warm clothes and sturdy shoes in the kit also.
  
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  
• Moist towelettes, toilet paper, feminine supplies, bleach, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
  
• Local maps, Money


• Medications


• Personal Documents: ID, birth certificate, insurance policies.


• Contact Info: family phone #, and addresses. It is often easier to make a long-distance call rather than a local call after a disaster strikes.

FAMILY EMERGENCY PLAN

Make A Plan

Family Emergency Plan

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View and download the Family Emergency Plan.

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Email to a Friend.

Talk. Discuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternates in case someone is absent.

Plan. Choose two places to meet after a disaster:

􀂃 Right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.

􀂃 Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.Choose an out-of-area contact for all members of the family to call in case of disaster. The selected contact person should live far enough away that they would be unaffected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact. Remember that during a disaster, it may be easier to make a long distance phone call than to call across town. Having predetermined meeting places will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or if the area is evacuated.