September is National Preparedness Month
Emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime and anywhere. They can happen quickly and without warning and can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or require you to stay in your home.
It is vital that you understand what a disaster could mean for you and your family. Each person’s needs and abilities are different, but every individual can take important steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies and to be prepared.
Building Your Emergency Kit
It can take several days or weeks for government services and assistance to reach you and your family depending on the severity of the disaster and your geographic location. An emergency kit is vital to sustaining your family after a disaster.
Regularly replace items that go bad such as water, food, medication, and batteries, and remember to keep in mind your family’s unique needs as you build your kit.
Download your Emergency Kit Checklist at VAEmergency.gov.
Emergency Communications
Your emergency communication plan phone charging devices as additional communication tools: AM/FM radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries are recommended.
- Write down phone numbers and email addresses for everyone in your household and other contacts including extended family, friends, neighbors or coworkers.
- Identify someone outside of your community or state who can act as a central point of contact to help your household reconnect.
- Make sure your household members with phone and email accounts are signed up for alerts and warnings from their school, workplace and local government agencies including: police, fire, ambulance services, public health department, public works, public utilities, school system, and your local emergency management office.
- Write down, store or have convenient access to phone numbers for emergency services, utility and service providers, medical providers, veterinarians, insurance companies and other critical services