September is National Preparedness Month
BOULDER CITY – Whether it is natural disaster or a man-made situation, you should have an emergency plan: Where should your family meet if disaster strikes? What if the power goes out? What should you take if you need to evacuate your home? September is National Preparedness Month, which is an excellent time to create or update an emergency plan for you and your loved ones.
Several apps are available for electronic devices to help you receive weather alerts or build an emergency plan. Select an out-of-town contact in case local phone lines are out and you need to let family know where you are. Talk to friends and family so that, if you need to evacuate your home, you have a temporary place to stay (and vice versa). Keep a list of all of your medications in case you need to leave home in a hurry, and make sure you are up-to-date on vaccinations. Check on your neighbors and friends, especially those people with special needs and who are elderly.
Rotate your basic home emergency kit every six to 12 months. Your kit should contain what you would need for camping at a site where there is no electricity. Keep up to 14 days of water (one gallon per person per day) and non-perishable food for your household and pets, a first aid kit, an all-weather radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, a one-week supply of medications and personal hygiene items in your kit at all times. Update your vehicle emergency kit and keep water, a blanket, a flashlight and a cell phone charger in your car.
Pets should also be a part of your emergency plan; be sure to keep dog and cat licenses updated, microchip all pets and have a place where they can stay if you can’t remain in your home. Back up important documents and files, and keep them where they can be accessed immediately if needed. For more information on preparedness, including plan ideas and supply lists, visit www.ready.gov.