September is Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month and now is the best time to get ready, before an emergency. Emergencies can happen to anyone anywhere at any time, so it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected.
The most important step you can take is being able to take care of yourself and those in your care. This means being able to cope for at least 72 hours without outside assistance. Keep in mind an emergency could mean being without running water or electricity for an extended period.
This September, prepare yourself and your family by following these four steps:
Stay Informed: Information is available from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial resources. Visit ready.gov for more tips.
Make a Plan: Develop a disaster plan with your family to prepare for what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate in an emergency.
Build a Kit: Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own without running water or electricity for at least 72 hours. Items such as water, non-perishable food, prescriptions, first aid, batteries, and flashlight are a good option and make sure to check your kit every three months.
Get Involved: Community involvement is important when recovering from a disaster. There are many organizations to volunteer with that assist in disasters.
Maricopa County Emergency Management is encouraging our community to be prepared and we will be featuring tips on preparedness all month long.
Visit our Facebook and Twitter page for more information and tips.
*Adapted from the Ready.gov National Preparedness Month Toolkit