September is Disaster Preparedness Month.

As the saying goes…Better Safe than Sorry! This is especially true in time of emergency and if your family is prepared and has a well thought out plan, you can get through it calmly with far less stress if your family knows what to do.

After the events of September 11th, 2001 it was clear the disaster preparedness was needed not only for natural disasters but manmade catastrophes as well. In 2003 the government created national disaster preparedness month to increase public awareness of the importance of planning and practicing for emergencies at home, school and in the workplace. The need for disaster preparation was reinforced after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

It is important to plan and prepare your family for such an emergency, not only to ensure their safety but to give you peace of mind if you cannot be with them when a disaster strikes. If you have a plan at home, work and school, telephone numbers, and a set meeting place it will lessen the strain during a time of stress.

Here are some tips for preparing for any emergency from the Department of Homeland Security Ready.Gov:

Make a Kit

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Make A Plan

Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Family Emergency Plan

• Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
  
• Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact. If you have a cell phone, program that person(s) as "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your phone. If you are in an accident, emergency personnel will often check your ICE listings in order to get a hold of someone you know. Make sure to tell your family and friends that you've listed them as emergency contacts.
• Teach family members how to use text messaging (also knows as SMS or Short Message Service). Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through.
• Subscribe to alert services. Many communities now have systems that will send instant text alerts or e-mails to let you know about bad weather, road closings, local emergencies, etc. Sign up by visiting your local Office of Emergency Management web site.

Planning to Stay or Go

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities. Use common sense and available information, including what you are learning here, to determine if there is an immediate danger. In any emergency, local authorities may or may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for information or official instruction as it becomes available. For information on staying put or sheltering in place, click here.

Emergency Information

Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door.

Emergency Plans

Use the New Online Family Emergency Planning Tool created by the Ready Campaign in conjunction with the Ad Council to prepare a printable Comprehensive Family Emergency Plan:
http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/fep/index.jsp

Use the New Quick Share application to help your family in assembling a quick reference list of contact information for your family, and a meeting place for emergency situations:
http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/quickshare.html

You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Talk to your neighbors about how you can work together in the event of an emergency. You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance. Read more: School and Workplace.

Be Informed

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency.
However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them.

In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.
Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

Are you prepared? Take this quiz to determine your Readiness Quotient.

Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies.

1. Get a Kit of pet emergency supplies.
Just as you do with your family's emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water.

• Food: Keep at least three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Water: Store at least three days of water specifically for your pets, in addition to water you
  need for yourself and your family.
  
• Medicines and medical records: Keep an extra supply of medicines your pet takes on a
  regular basis in a waterproof container.
  
• First aid kit: Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet's
  emergency medical needs. Most kits should include cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape
  and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol
  and saline solution. Include a pet first aid reference book.
  
• Collar with ID tag, harness or leash: Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag
  and identification at all times. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag in your pet's
  emergency supply kit.
  
• Important documents: Place copies of your pet's registration information, adoption
  papers, vaccination documents and medical records in a clean plastic bag or waterproof
  container and also add them to your kit.
  
• Crate or other pet carrier: If you need to evacuate in an emergency situation take your pets
  and animals with you, provided that it is practical to do so.
  
• Sanitation: Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic
  trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet's sanitation needs. You can
  use bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency
  you can also use it to purify water. Use 8 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon
  of water, stir well and let it stand for 30 minutes before use. Do not use scented or color safe
  bleaches or those with added cleaners.
  
• A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated from your pet during an
  emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and
  allow others to assist you in identifying your pet. Include detailed information about species,
  breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics.
  
• Familiar items: Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce
  stress for your pet

2. Make a Plan for what you will do in an emergency.

Plan in advance what you will do in an emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and ensure your pet's safety during an emergency.

Evacuate. Plan how you will assemble your pets and anticipate where you will go. If you must evacuate, take your pets with you, if practical. If you go to a public shelter, keep in mind your pets may not be allowed inside. Secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals in your care. Consider family or friends outside your immediate area who would be willing to take in you and your pets in an emergency. Other options may include: a hotel or motel that takes pets or some sort of boarding facility, such as a kennel or veterinary hospital that is near an evacuation facility or your family's meeting place. Find out before an emergency happens if any of these facilities in your area might be viable options for you and your pets.

Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Talk with your pet care buddy about your evacuation plans and show them where you keep your pet's emergency supply kit. Also designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and other farther away, where you will meet in an emergency.

Talk to your pet's veterinarian about emergency planning. Discuss the types of things you should include in your pet's emergency first aid kit. Get the names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might need to seek temporary shelter. Also talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. If you and your pet are separated, this permanent implant for your pet and corresponding enrollment in a recovery database can help a veterinarian or shelter identify your animal. If your pet is microchipped, keeping your emergency contact information up to date and listed with a reliable recovery database is essential to you and your pet being reunited.

Gather contact information for emergency animal treatment. Make a list of contact information and addresses of area animal control agencies including the Humane Society or ASPCA and emergency veterinary hospitals. Keep one copy of these phone numbers with you, and one in your pet's emergency supply kit. Obtain "Pets Inside" stickers and place them on your doors or windows, including information on the number and types of pets in your home to alert firefighters and rescue workers. Consider putting a phone number on the sticker where you could be reached in an emergency. And, if time permits, remember to write the words "Evacuated with Pets" across the stickers, should you evacuate your home with your pets.

3. Be Prepared for what might happen.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an emergency supply kit for yourself, your family and your pets, is the same regardless of the type of emergency. However, it's important to say informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region.

Be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Those who take the time to prepare themselves and their pets will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry. Take the time now to get yourself and your pet ready.

Helpful Links To Prepare

Ready.Gov

Military Families

Seniors

People with Disabilities

Pet Owners

Help Kids Prepare

Prepare Your Business

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State and Local Information

Potential Disaster Threats

• Biological Threat
• Blackouts
  
• Chemical Threat
  
• Earthquakes
  
• Explosions
  
• Extreme Heat
  
• Fires
  
• Floods
  
• Hurricanes
  
• Influenza Pandemic
  
• Landslide and Debris Flow (Mudslide)
  
• Nuclear Threat
  
• Radiation Threat
  
• Thunderstorms
  
• Tornadoes
  
• Tsunamis
  
• Volcanoes
  
• Wildfires
  
• Winter Storms and Extreme Cold