Everyone encouraged to get involved with National Preparedness Month 2018

Some helpful safety tips to consider

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency (JCEMA) along with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) encourages everyone to take the necessary steps to make sure households are prepared for all types of disasters.

“Preparation is key to managing any type of unexpected situation,” said David Hosick, communications director and chief public information officer for IDHS. “Indiana experiences severe weather events throughout the year. Learning more about how to prepare for these threats will help keep everyone safe during any emergency scenario.”

National Preparedness Month is the perfect opportunity for all to learn lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid, how to check insurance policies for common hazards as well as how to make and practice a household emergency plan. Tornadoes, fires, snow and severe flooding are all common occurrences throughout the year in Indiana. Knowing how to stay prepared for these types of situations will not only minimize the effects, but also save lives. “Everyone should work to prepare now, when disaster strikes, that’s not the time” said Troy Morgan, Director of JCEMA.

Some helpful safety tips to consider are:

• Become aware of disasters that could occur in the local area. Learn what to look for and what to avoid in each 

• Discuss possible emergency scenarios with family members. Include events such as fires, natural disasters and man-made disasters. Make sure everyone in the family or work place knows the steps involved in responding to these 
• Establish meeting locations in the event of a potential disaster, and make sure all family members and employees are aware of 
• Create a list of emergency contacts, and share it with family members and friends.

National Preparedness Month also emphasizes the importance of creating and updating an emergency disaster kit. For more information on how to craft an effective emergency kit and emergency plan, visit https://www.in.gov/dhs/3261.htm.

For more information on the weekly themes for this year’s National Preparedness Month, visit https://www.ready.gov/september.