September marks National Preparedness Month, the annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.

2024 Theme: “Start a Conversation”

Per Ready.gov Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.

Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:

• • Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
  • It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
  • Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

You will find useful checklists and information to help keep your household better prepared for any potential event.

Personal preparedness includes being ready for emergencies at home, in your car, or anywhere else you may spend time. These preparedness efforts are a team effort. We are hopeful that the information and resources we provide help you and your family to be better prepared for any future emergencies or disasters.

Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. What you do now can help you and your family better respond to and recover from any disaster or emergency, as well as contribute to the overall readiness of your community. Although there are many things that people can do to increase their preparedness for emergencies, the three basic steps listed below are a good start that cover most situations.

Make a Kit

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 3 days.

Utilize the checklists below to help provide the information and items you need to create your own kits for your home, vehicle, pets, etc.:

• • • ALL-IN-ONE Emergency Supply Checklist
    • Disaster Checklist

Make a Plan

Before any emergency happens, make a plan. To start, sit down as a family and create a communications plan. Make sure everyone has each other’s phone numbers and also has numbers for other family or friends nearby who can help relay information.

Also decide on a good safe location you can all meet at if you are unable to return home right away. A friend, family member or local landmark (church, school, etc.)

Also consider creating a household Fire Escape Plan. Create the Plan and practice it with your household to help educate everyone on proper avenues of escape in the event of a fire and where everyone shall meet.

Finally, DO NOT forget about your pets!

Write down it all down (see useful, printable lists below) and make copies for everyone and keep a copy in your emergency supply kit. Remember to check the plan periodically to make sure its always up-to-date. And do not forget to create a plan and gather supplies for your family’s four-legged members.

• • • Family Communications Plan
    • Family Emergency Plan (wallet size cards)
    • Home Fire Escape Plan
    • Preparing Pets for an Emergency
    • Financial Preparedness

Practice Your Family’s Emergency Plan

Preparing your family for a disaster involves more than just creating a plan. Each family member – especially children – should know exactly what to do during an emergency. Here are some helpful suggestions to communicate the importance of disaster preparedness to your family.

• • • Designate Roles / Responsibilities: Give everyone in your family a responsibility. Each family member is an integral part of the plan and each has an important contribution.
    • Role-play: Younger family members may be easily upset if they see a parent worried or panicking. Spend an afternoon pretending an emergency has occured and allow everyone to practice their designated roles. This will help your family be better prepared for the rush of emotions they may experience during a disaster.
    • Visit Emergency Meeting Places: If you have chosen an emergency meeting place, make certain your family is familiar with the location. Assist family members in recognizing landmarks (i.e., buildings, signs, curiously shaped trees or other landmarks, etc.) to help remind them of where they are or where they should be going. Ensure family members memorize emergency rendezvous location addresses.
    • Introduce Your Family to Emergency Contacts: Young children may not be comfortable talking with strangers – even strangers their parents have designated as safe. Introduce your children to emergency contacts and explain their role in your family’s disaster plan. Instruct children regarding safe authority figures, such as firemen, police officers, emergency medical personnel, etc.
    • Practice: Regularly quiz family members about the family’s emergency preparedness plan. Make it a game for younger children. Who’s our local emergency contact? Where do we go when there’s an emergency? Who’s responsible for watching the dog? What is our address? What are the phone numbers you will call? What will you do if we get separated? Where is the emergency kit stored and what is in it? Where is the water stored? How do you use a manual can opener? How do you use a cell phone or landline? The more the family practices the plan, the better family members will be able to recall what to do during an actual emergency.
    • Point Out Emergency Essentials: Be sure everybody in your family know the location of your Disaster Supply / Emergency Kit. Keep your Disaster Supply / Emergency Kit in one place – if you move it, let everyone know the new storage location.
    • Be Honest: Everyone in your family will have questions about preparedness. Take the time to address questions, concerns, and fears, honestly and factually. Discuss mental health concerns, evacuation, sheltering, and returning home. Emphasize, although the situation may be difficult, and there may be loss and/or sadness, the family has made and practiced the plans to survive and recover from any disaster situation.

Interested in learning more, or finding fun and interactive preparedness activities for children, or possibly create an even more prominent family emergency plan? Feel free to visit some of these following websites for more.

• • • Ready.gov
    • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
    • American Red Cross
    • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • HealthyChildren.org