This year, resolve to be prepared. Check out these emergency preparedness tips to be ready for the New Year.
Get Tech Ready
- Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts, safety tips, and locate open shelters.
- Sign up to receive text or email alerts about emergencies from your local Office of Emergency Management.
- Snap photos of important documents and save them online or in a secure place you can access during an emergency.
- Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family at the same time during emergencies.
- Download money saving apps to help you save for a rainy day.
- Have external power sources available to charge phones and other devices in case of a power outage.
Preparedness Tips
- Include cash in your emergency supply kit. During an extended power outage, ATMs and credit card machines may not work.
- Check-in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm.
- Pick an out-of-town person for everyone to contact during an emergency.
- Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as having a conversation over dinner. Make a plan tonight.
- As part of your family’s emergency supply kit, include games and toys to keep children entertained.
- Get prepared by having an emergency supply kit already stored. www.ready.gov/kit
- Snap pictures of your property and make an inventory for insurance purposes.
- 30: The number of days it takes for flood insurance to begin. The time to buy is when it’s dry.
- If you rely on public transportation, contact your local emergency management agency about evacuation procedures before a hurricane.
- Make a list of the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.
- Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power.
- Learn how to shut off the utilities where you live, including water, electricity, and gas.
- Take a first aid and CPR class. www.ready.gov/safety-skills
- Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans! www.ready.gov/evacuation
- Assemble supplies for a “go-bag” you can carry if you need to evacuate.
- Make a portable emergency kit for your car. www.ready.gov/car
- Save. Save. Save. Your emergency savings can help you get life saving items like food, shelter, and water in an emergency. Saving tips: www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness
- 48% of people have an emergency fund, which gives them the savings to overcome simple emergencies.
Planning with Pets
- Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster. www.ready.gov/pets
- Search online today for local pet-friendly evacuation locations in case you need to evacuate.
- Update your pet’s microchip registration info so you can be contacted if your pet gets lost in a disaster.
- Put your name and contact information on your pet’s ID tag in case you’re separated in an emergency.
- Remember to include your pets in your family’s emergency plans.
Be Ready. Be Safe. Be Sure.
