September is National Preparedness Month - Be Prepared, Not Scared
September is National Preparedness Month! This year's theme is "Prepared, Not Scared." Don’t wait until a disaster occurs; take time to make sure your family is prepared. Each week, we'll provide tips on our social media pages on how to prepare for an emergency:
Check your insurance coverage and snap photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file an insurance claim after damage has occurred. Plan financially for the possibility of disaster, and include kids in discussions about saving.
Make a plan that outlines what you would do if there was an earthquake, flood, or fire, and assemble a kit that includes supplies for eating, hydration, first aid, safety, warmth, cleanliness, and health. Be sure to think of each family member’s specific requirements (including any pets). Review and practice your plan.
A necessity for this kit is drinking water. Following a disaster, clean drinking water may not be available due to contamination of a water source or damaged service lines. Medford Water Commission will be working quickly to notify customers of any water advisories and to restore water service, but it is important to have a personal emergency supply of water for everyone in your household.
Teach children what to do in an emergency if they are at home or away from home. Help your kids know how to communicate during an emergency: instruct them on how to send text messages, review emergency contact numbers and how to dial 9-1-1 for help.
Learn about the hazards most likely to affect your community and their appropriate responses. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face; encourage students to join Teen CERT so they can respond during emergencies. Take classes in lifesaving skills, such as CPR/AED and first aid, and don't forget to check in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm or other emergency.
Find other helpful disaster preparedness tips, emergency kit how-to's, fillable emergency plans and more at redcross.org, fema.gov, and ready.gov.
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