Over 60 percent of adults in the U.S. don’t have a household emergency plan. Don’t wait—communicate! See our full list of #NationalPreparednessMonth tips here.
September is National Preparedness Month—but it’s important to be prepared at all times during the year in the event that emergency occurs. Developing an emergency preparedness plan will lower your family’s chances of panicking when faced with an emergency such as a national disease outbreak, a natural disaster, severe weather, or a chemical/biological outbreak.
In January 2016, Winter Storm Jonas hit the East Coast with several feet of snow, causing Pennsylvania’s governor to declare a state of emergency. Many families were unable to leave their homes which meant no trips to the grocery store for food, water, flashlights, and other necessities– a stark reminder of how important it is to be prepared at all times.
Before an emergency strikes your family, follow these tips to ensure you’re prepared and equipped with supplies.
Stay informed on potential threats
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has developed an emergency preparedness app compatible with Apple, Android, and BlackBerry mobile devices.
By downloading the app, you can receive National Weather Service alerts, safety reminders, and survival tips, locate safe shelters, and upload photos and videos to assist first responders. It also enables easy access to DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for federal disaster assistance. Other benefits include:
- Custom emergency safety information: Save a custom list of the items in your family’s emergency kit, as well as the places you will meet in case of an emergency.
- Safety tips: Receive safety and preparedness reminders and learn how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
- Information in Spanish: Easily toggle between English and Spanish for all features of the app
Create a communications plan
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 60 percent of the U.S. population does not have an emergency plan in place that has been discussed with their family.
A disaster can strike at any time—whether or not your family is together. Creating and reviewing an emergency communications plan with your family will help everyone know what to do and where to go.
When developing a plan, answer the following questions:
- Where will we meet after the emergency?
- How will we contact each other if cellphones, internet, and landlines do not work?
- Where will we store emergency supplies for quick access?
Keep a three-day supply of food and water
After an emergency, it might be unclear when a rescue team can get to you. Access to grocery stores and other supplies could be limited. To survive on your own, you must have access to two essential survival supplies: food and potable water. You should also pack a manual can opener to open items easily and supplies to start a fire, if necessary.
The three-day rule applies to prescriptions, too
Keep copies of important documents, including prescriptions. Store at least a three-day supply of any prescription. Discuss medication storage options with your doctor if you rely on a prescription that is temperature-sensitive, such as medicine that needs to remain refrigerated.
Build a supply kit, including first-aid items
During disasters, it could take hours or even days for emergency responders to locate you. During that time, you might not have access to electricity, gas, water, and sewage systems. In the event your family is required to evacuate—especially under duress with limited time to pack—it’s imperative to have a kit ready to grab and go. Maintain a separate first-aid kit in the event you or a family member is injured in the emergency.
Your first-aid kit should include:
- Latex or other sterile gloves
- Bandages in a variety of sizes
- Prescription medications/supplies (asthma inhalers, insulin, or monitoring equipment)
- Nonprescription medications (aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, antacid)
- Scissors/tweezers
For more emergency preparedness tips, visit: https://www.ready.gov/