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Dane County, WI, Did you know it's National Preparedness Month?
9/6/2021 (Permalink)
Have Storm, Flood, or Fire Damage Near You? Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today (608) 497-3331
The 2021 National Preparedness Theme is "Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love."
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.
SERVPRO® Industries, Inc. is once again proud to be a member of the National Preparedness Month Coalition and is committed to helping the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its efforts to promote the importance of preparedness planning.
Here are steps to help you "Prepare to Protect" in an area near you
Make a Plan!
Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the CDC recommendations due to COVID-19.
Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
- Check with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus.
- Get masks (for everyone over 2 years old), disinfectants, and check my sheltering plan.
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household
Tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities as you prepare your plan. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:
- Different ages of members within your household
- Responsibilities for assisting others
- Locations frequented
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs, including prescriptions and equipment
- Disabilities or access and functional needs, including devices and equipment
- Languages spoken
- Cultural and religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
- Households with school-aged children
Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan
Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use it as a guide to creating your own.
Family Emergency Communication Plan - Ready.Gov
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household
Build a Kit. Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don't forget to consider the uniqueness of each person or pet if you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the CDC.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
- 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)
- Manual can opener (for food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Additional Emergency Supplies
Since Spring of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu.
Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:
- Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
- Prescription medications
- Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, or laxatives
- Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler's checks
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children
Emergency Supply List - Ready.Gov
Prepare For Disasters
Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home and business stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.
- Know what storm disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Make sure your family has a plan and practices it often.
Order Free Preparedness Materials
Order free preparedness materials from FEMA's online ordering platform. These materials can be shipped directly to you at no cost. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. Due to safety precautions put in place to protect employees and customers from COVID-19, you may experience delays.