Since 2004, our nation has recognized the month of September as “Emergency Preparedness Month.” The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourage the public to take time this month to prepare ourselves and our homes in order to be ready in case disaster strikes. Last week, our blog focused on gathering together the supplies for an emergency it. This week, we will share information on the basics of creating an emergency plan and staying informed.
Make plans with your family and friends in case you are separated during an emergency. Discuss beforehand how you will contact each other, choose a meeting spot and how you will respond in different possible situations.
If you have children who are in daycare or at school, talk to these institutions about their level of preparedness for emergency situations. Make sure to keep the phone numbers of your child’s school and/or daycare center handy.
The U.S. Department of Education gives guidelines for school preparedness. Workers at small, medium and large businesses should practice for emergencies of all types.
Being prepared means staying informed. Check all types of media – web sites, newspapers, radio, TV, mobile and land phones – for global, national and local information. During an emergency, your local Emergency Management or Emergency Services office will give you information on things such as open shelters and evacuation orders. Check the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at www.fema.gov, for more information about resources in your area.
