September is National Preparedness Month. This is a time designated to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies. We have some ways you can be prepared in the event of a natural disaster or any emergency that may occur throughout the year.

Have a Plan

Set up a time to have a discussion with your family or friends about what you might do in case of different emergencies. Think about things like who you would need to call in an emergency situation, where you would take shelter, if needed, and where you might need to evacuate. You may also want to get things together for a kit in case you’ll need to be in your home or shelter without power for a few days in the event of a storm or other disaster. Make sure to review this plan often with family members so everyone is on the same page if the need ever arises.

Make Sure You Receive Emergency Alerts

Is your phone set to receive alerts when there might be a flash flood or public safety concern? If you don’t have the television or radio on, or don’t have access to one, your phone might be the most important thing you need in an emergency. If something happens in your area, an alert can go off to notify you to get to safety. Make sure you take the time (ahead of time) to check your device settings and ensure all emergency alerts are turned on so you receive these notifications.

It’s important to be prepared for anything that could happen so you don’t have to think about your plan during a time of high stress. This month, MAKE the time to make sure you are prepared for anything. For additional resources on ways you can be prepared for emergencies, visit Ready.gov or the Environmental Protection Agency.