National Preparedness Month, is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year. The 2019 theme is "Prepared, Not Scared."
Week 1: Save Early for Disaster Costs
Web Resources
Check your insurance coverage and review the Document and Insure Property guide
Visit Floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to protect your home or business
Plan financially for the possibility of disaster
Complete an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK)
Social Media Posts
Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Learn more about flood insurance at FloodSmart.gov #FloodSmart #PreparedNotScared #PrepareNow. Snap photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file an insurance claim after a flood. https://youtu.be/i3MfRpND5gk #BeReady
Start talking with your children early about money. Include kids in discussions about saving for a disaster. Get ideas for how to involve them at ready.gov/kids #YouthPrep #PreparedNotScared
30 Days: The number of days it takes for most flood insurance policies to go into effect. Don’t wait until it’s too late! For more information vist: FloodSmart.gov #PrepareNow #BeReady
Are you financially prepared for a natural disaster? Learn how to make a plan with @CFPB’s tips: https://go.usa.gov/xPbJv #BeReady
What important documents should you have for an emergency? Download the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit, which will walk you through the planning process: https://go.usa.gov/xypkQ #PreparedNotScared
Plan ahead: how will you pay your bills if a disaster strikes? #PrepareNow with the help of these tips and free resources: ready.gov/financial-preparedness #BeReady
According to the Federal Reserve, 40% of Americans don't have $400 in savings. What will you do if there is a disaster! Learn tips to become more financially prepared: www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness #PreparedNotScared
Keep some cash on hand in case of emergencies, since ATMs and credit card readers won’t always be available. Cash can help pay for immediate expenses like lodging, food and gas. Learn more: ready.gov/financial-preparedness #BeReady
Set aside a small amount from each paycheck to go into your savings account. Find more tips to help you manage your money to be prepared for the unexpected: https://www.usa.gov/flec #BeReady
Week 2: Make a Plan
Web Resources
Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area
Learn your evacuation zone and have an evacuation plan
Social Media Posts
Be Prepared. Make an emergency plan today & practice it: www.ready.gov/plan #BeReady
Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as a conversation over dinner. Get started today: www.ready.gov/plan #PreparedNotScared
It’s important to include kids in the disaster planning process. Review your family emergency plan together so that they know what to do even if you are not there: ready.gov/kids #YouthPrep #BeReady
Practice your fire escape plan by having a home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the home. #BeReady
Download a group texting app so your entire circle of family and friends can keep in touch before, during & after an emergency. #PreparedNotScared
Practice evacuating in the car with your animals, so they’re more familiar if you need to evacuate in an emergency. #PrepareNow
Be prepared. Get the @fema app with weather alerts for up to 5 locations, plus disaster resources and safety tips: fema.gov/mobile-app #BeReady
Contact your water and power companies to get on a “priority reconnection service” list of power-dependent customers if you rely on electrical medical equipment. #PrepareNow
Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas in your home. ready.gov/safety-skills #PreparedNotScared #BeReady
Be prepared for a power outage by having enough food, water, & meds to last for at least 72 hours: ready.gov/kit #BeReady
Week 3: Youth Preparedness
Web Resources
Sesame Street Fire Safety Program for preschool children (U.S. Fire Administration)
Ready Wrigley (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Owley Skywarn (National Weather Service)
Social Media Posts
Teach children what to do in an emergency if they are at home or away from home. ready.gov/kids #BeReady #YouthPrep
Help your kids know how to communicate during an emergency. Review these topics with them: Sending text message; Emergency contact numbers; Dialing 9-1-1 for help ready.gov/kids #BeReady #YouthPrep
Update school records and discuss emergency contact numbers with kids before they go: ready.gov/make-a-plan #BackToSchool #YouthPrep
Add your kids’ school’s social media info to the family communication plan: ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan #YouthPrep #ReadyKids
Review your family emergency communications plan with kids at your next household meeting. #YouthPrep #ReadyKids
Include your child's medication or supplies in your family’s emergency kit. More tips visit: ready.gov/kit #YouthPrep #ReadyKids
Include your child's favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster. #YouthPrep
Get the kids involved in building their own emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit #ReadyKids #PreparedNotScared
Kids can #BeAForce... by playing the online emergency preparedness "Build a Kit" game: www.ready.gov/kids/games #YouthPrep #ReadyKids
Speak Up! Ask your child’s teacher about the plans the school has in place for emergencies. www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Actio...#YouthPrep #PreparedNotScared
Your kids can become Disaster Masters with this @Readygov preparedness game: www.ready.gov/kids/games #YouthPrep
Are your students prepared for an emergency? Download curriculum for grades 1-12 for your classroom: www.ready.gov/kids/educators #YouthPrep
4th and 5th Grade Teachers: STEP up and use this emergency preparedness curriculum: www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/110946 #YouthPrep
Teaching kids about disaster prep is important. See the 9 steps @FEMA @RedCross @usedgov have for #YouthPrep http://bit.ly/2axiPcl #PreparedNotScared
Week 4: Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness
Web Resources
Social Media Posts
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) trains volunteers to prepare for the types of disasters that their community may face. Find your local CERT: https://community.fema.gov/Register/Register_Search_Programs #BeReady
Learn about the hazards most likely to affect your community and their appropriate responses. #BeReady
Every community has voluntary organizations that work during disasters. Visit https://www.nvoad.org to see what organizations are active in your community. #BeReady
Encourage students to join Teen CERT so they can respond during emergencies. Learn more: www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/28048 #YouthPrep
Your community needs YOU! Find youth volunteer and training opportunities to help your community here: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness #YouthPrep #BeReady
Finding support from friends, family, and community organizations can help kids cope with #disasters. #YouthPrep
Take classes in lifesaving skills, such as CPR/AED and first aid, or in emergency response, such as CERT. #PrepareNow #BeReady
Check in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm #BeReady
If you have a disability, plan ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify accessible transportation options. www.ready.gov/disability #BeReady
If you have a disability contact your city or county government’s emergency management agency or office. Many keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly in a sudden emergency. www.ready.gov/disability #BeReady
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Print, share, or order FREE emergency preparedness publications
Download the FEMA app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips
Sign up for preparedness text messages: Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)
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National Preparedness Month Congressional Co-Chairs and quotes
For more information, visit https://www.ready.gov/september