National Preparedness Month

With schools opening, the celebration of Labor Day and the start of football season, most people aren’t even thinking about a disaster, let alone know what to do in an emergency.  September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). NPM doesn’t get the same attention as Black History Month (February) or Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and it is equally important as both of them.

NPM, it gives you the perfect opportunity to get ready for whatever Mother Nature may have in store. Whether it’s a hurricane, a tornado, a wildfire, a flood or some other catastrophe, there are specific steps you can take to make sure you’re ready.

1. Create an Emergency Communication Plan for your Family

1. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so its important to be able to communicate with each and have a plan.
2. Emergency Communication Plan
   1. Steps to Creating Your Plan
   2. Kids Communications Plan
   3. Parents Communication Plan

1. Are you Prepared?

1. Emergency Supplies
   1. Emergency Supply Checklist
   2. First Aid Kits
   3. Special Circumstances
      1. Does weather play a factor? What’s your climate?
         1. Jacket
         2. Sunscreen
      2. Children-special food or medicine.
      3. Babies—Baby supplies
         1. Formula
         2. Diapers
         3. Etc.
      4. Pets-they need food also.

Business Owner?

Own a business?

For starters, do you have a plan for disaster? Is your business able to survive a disaster and are you protected? Here are some things for you to do and think about:

1. Do you have a plan?
   1. Business Disaster Guide

1. Business Factors
   1. Computer Inventory
   2. Cost of Being Prepared
   3. Emergency Response Plan
   4. Emergency Response Resources (internal and external)

1. Can you Survive a Disaster?
   1. Continuity Plan
   2. Are you Covered?

As you can see there are a lot of things that can go into being prepared, keep in mind the old adage: an ounce of prevention is worth more then a pound of cure.  For more information on disaster awareness and preparedness, please consult with:

1. Your Insurance Agent
2. Local Restoration Company (ie. Servpro)
3. Local Office of Emergency Management
4. Ready.gov