September is National Preparedness Month
Created on Wednesday, 05 September 2012 12:27
Contact: Collette Duvalle, 317-373-2391
“30 DAYS, 30 WAYS TO PREPARE”
INDIANAPOLIS – September is National Preparedness Month, a time designated to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities. The Indiana State Department of Health’s “30 Days, 30 Ways to Prepare” campaign is taking place throughout September as part of National Preparedness Month and will provide Hoosiers with daily tips for being ready in any potential emergency.
Recent events, such as the extreme summer heat and the devastating tornadoes which occurred in southern Indiana, demonstrate the need to be prepared for natural disasters. However, other emergencies, such as bioterrorism or a chemical or radiological incident, should also be considered and prepared for.
To read the daily tips for preparedness during September, check the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at www.StateHealth.in.gov, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ISDH1, or Twitter account at http://twitter.com/#!/statehealthin.
The tips will follow four essential guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
- Learn about emergency hazards and their appropriate responses
- Build an emergency kit
- Make a communications plan
- Get involved in preparedness in your community
The State Health Department, along with local health department partners, provides “Everybody Ready” brochures, a helpful guide for families. The brochure includes tips for:
- Starting a conversation on what to prepare for, identifying family contacts, discussing meeting locations and finding places to stay. Talking things through can help create a sense of control and reduce stress.
- Making a plan. The guide provides a simple list for personal information, in-state and out-of-state contacts, nearest relatives, pet care, and meeting places. Gathering critical information into one place and sharing it with your family will save time when you need it most.
- Making a kit. The brochure reminds you to start simply and gather nine essential items to help you shelter in place in the event of an emergency.
To obtain a copy of the “Everybody Ready” brochure, contact your local health department. To find out how to reach your local health department, visit htt://www.in.gov/isdh/24822.htm.
For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website at www.StateHealth.in.gov or the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website at http://www.ready.gov/.
