Are You Ready?

September is National Preparedness Month

Are you ready?

We never know when an emergency will happen, but having the peace of mind knowing you are prepared for anything can empower you.  Are you ready for an emergency?  It is easy to think you live in an area that nothing will happen, but you run the risk every day for man-made or natural disasters.  I am not the type of person who thinks about such negative things, but knowing my family is prepared gives me a the peace of mind I need.   I will be blogging about this subject for the month of September to give you help in getting you and your family prepared.

Being informed is your first step in being prepared.  There are so many amazing sources of information that are geared towards emergency/disaster preparedness.  Here are a list of web sources that will educate you for what you need to know:

www.fema.gov/areyouready

www.ready.gov

www.citizenscorps.gov

www.redcross.org.preparedness/npm

www.homesafetycouncil.org

Also, you need to check with your community’s Emergency Management Office or local Red Cross chapter to find out what types of disasters are most likely to happen in your area.  Ask them to send you information on how they suggest you prepare.  Find out what types of ways does the community inform you of the potential for a disaster.  Do they have sirens, emergency workers who go door to door or television and radio broadcasts?  Knowing what to expect is essential to staying calm in the face of potential danger.  In addition, contact your children’s schools or daycare givers to find out what there plan of action is and if they are prepared.  If not, give them the information you have and give yourself the peace of mind that your children are protected when you are not there.  While you are gathering information check to see what the disaster plans are for your workplace.  Knowing that there is a plan of action with your office and co-workers is essential. 

Again, knowing what to expect will keep you calm in the face of an emergency.   Disaster preparedness is nothing to procrastinate on.  Get informed and get to work on keeping you and your family ready for anything!

Stay tuned for my next emergency blogcast!  Next week I will talk about ways to be educated around the house for an emergency, including having a family plan.  If you would like more information on emergency/disaster preparedness, visit my website at:  www.afreshstartorganizing.net/tips.  Also, you can subscribe to my newsletter “Fresh Ideas for A Fresh Start”  where I discuss how to put together an Emergency Preparedness Kit. Subscribe Now