National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, and it's a good opportunity to make sure you and your family have an emergency plan in place in case disaster strikes. Here are some important tips to help you stay prepared:

PLAN AHEAD

Communication

Sign up for Alerts and Warnings

Transportation

Plan ahead if you need help evacuating, especially if you use Assistive Devices (walkers, canes, wheelchairs, etc.).

Individual Needs

Understand your needs in gathering your disaster supply kit, especially when it comes to the following items: 1. Medications 2. Medical Supplies 3. Batteries and Chargers.

Documentation

Make copies of Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurance cards. Keep your contacts updated and synced across all your channels, including phone, email and social media. Store important documents and items like passports, birth certificates, maps and electronics in a flood-safe place like a high shelf or upper floor in resealable water-tight plastic bags to help waterproof them. Visit www.floodsmart.gov to know your area's level of flood risk.

MAKE A PLAN

Create a Support Network

Family, friends and others can assist you during an emergency. Create a group chat via a texting app or a thread for family/friends/coworkers to communicate during a disaster.

Make an Emergency Plan

Be sure to at least have one person in your support network have an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency supplies, as well as understands how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine.

Service Providers

If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers.

Pets and Service Animals

Not all shelters accept pets, so plan for alternatives. Consider asking loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area if they can help with your animals.

BE INFORMED

Basic Commands

• To sign up to get preparedness tips: text PREPARE to 43362.
• To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors) text SHELTER and a ZIP code to 43362.
• To get a list of all keywords you can subscribe to text LIST to 43362.
• Register with American Red Cross' Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you're okay.

HAZARD SPECIFIC

Wildfires

Create a safety zone of at least 30 to 100-feet around your residence. Keep grass, plants and other vegetation around your living area well hydrated. Keep your roof and gutters clear of debris.

Home Fires

Create and practice a fire escape plan from your place of residence. Make sure you can get through doorways and exits if you use a walker or wheelchair.

Flooding

Find safe shelter right away. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don't Drown! Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Depending on the type of flooding:

• Evacuate if told to do so.
• Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
• Stay where you are.