September marks National Preparedness Month, Ready.gov’s annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.
2024 Theme: Start a Conversation
Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.
Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:
- Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
- It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
- Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.
Find information and tips on how to protect yourself and your family before, during and after emergencies and disasters by visiting Disasters and Emergencies | Ready.gov. Information on hazards like floods, extreme heat, wildfires and more is available in several languages. The page also features information about emergency alerts, how to make an emergency plan and more.
Ready.gov has a whole host of resources to help communities stay safe and connected when disasters occur. We’ve had a quiet hurricane season so far, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
- When emergencies strike, do you have a way to stay connected with your family and get information from your local officials? Visit Ready.gov to make and download a free fillable family emergency plan.
- Download the free FEMA App. to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts and Emergency Alert System messages.
- Do you have a plan for your pets if you are told to evacuate if an emergency or disaster happens? Whether it’s a friend or relative’s house, a community shelter in your neighborhood, or a hotel in another town, you should talk about where to go. Visit Ready.gov’s evacuation page and learn how to stay safe.
- Be sure you consider what supplies you may need to take care of kids, older adults, family members with a disability or who use medical devices and pets after a disaster. Ready.gov’s Build A Kit page lists the basic items your family needs to stay safe.
- How will you keep important documents, family mementos, heirlooms and treasured possessions safe in case of a disaster or emergency? Do you have water resistant plastic bags or containers to put them in? You can also make digital copies of documents and photos and keep them password-protected online. Go to Ready.gov’s Make a plan page to find out how to keep these important items safe.