National Preparedness Month, recognized each September, provides an opportunity
to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and
throughout the year.
Take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid,
check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face,
such as fire, flood and earthquakes. Make a survival kit and evacuation
plan with your family. Consider the costs associated with disasters and
save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like
shutting off water and gas.
What Do You Need In A Survival Kit?
At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:
Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week
supply for home)
Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation,
2-week supply for home).
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information,
proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit:
- Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses,
syringes, etc)
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
- Games and activities for children
- Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
- Two-way radios
- Extra set of car keys and house keys
- Manual can opener
Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the
types of disasters common to your area:
- Whistle
- N95 or surgical masks
- Matches
- Rain gear
- Towels
- Work gloves
- Tools/supplies for securing your home
- Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Financial Preparedness is often overlooked.
Americans at all income levels have experienced the challenges of rebuilding
their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful circumstances,
having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records
is crucial for starting the process of recovery quickly and efficiently.
Taking the time now to collect and secure these critical records will
give you peace of mind and, in the event of an emergency, will ensure
that you have the documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay.
1. Gather financial and critical personal, household, and medical information.
2. Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be
used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place.
It is important to have small bills on hand because ATM’s and credit
cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary
supplies, fuel or food.
3. Obtain property (homeowners or renters), health, and life insurance
if you do not have them. Review existing policies for the amount and extent
of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what is required
for you and your family for all possible hazards. Homeowners insurance
does not typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance
from the National Flood Insurance Program.
Having your financial and medical records and important contact information
will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly.
Think about where you store valuable belongings and ways to better protect
these items. If you have valuable items stored in a basement, you may
want to move them to a higher location and put them in waterproof containers
to avoid water damage. Or you may want to keep small items in a flood/fireproof
home safe.
Visit
www.ready.gov/september for more information.