By Gail E. Powell
September is National Preparedness Month, an annual opportunity to remind all Nevadans how important it is for individuals, families and communities to plan ahead and be prepared for disasters and emergencies that can happen at any time.
Disasters can strike anytime and anywhere and it’s important to take the time now to do some simple things that will help keep you safe when an incident occurs. This year’s theme is A Lasting Legacy — the life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family.
When evaluating and improving your family emergency plan consider:
— Make a Plan for When a Disaster Strikes: Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters (wildland fires, floods, earthquakes, etc.) could affect your area, and know how you will contact one another or reconnect if separated. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. Plan today for different scenarios that could occur when family members are at work, school or home.
— Build a Disaster Supply Kit: Once a disaster strikes, you will not have time to shop or search for supplies, so it’s important to have supplies pre-assembled. A kit should contain basic survival items necessary during an emergency, such as food, water, weather radio, batteries, medication, supplies for each member of your family. Because a disaster can strike anywhere, supply kits should be kept at home, at work and in your car.
— Prepare for Disasters: Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.
Learn how to make your home stronger in the wake of a storm or other hazards by implementing low-cost home improvement projects. Review your insurance policies to determine what would be covered in the event of a flood or storm. Also, practicing earthquake drills and fire drills aren’t just for school. Walking through this procedure at home with your family, and at work with your co-workers, is a great way to prepare for a disaster.
— Get Involved: During disaster response, affected communities depend heavily on local and national volunteer organizations to provide trained volunteers and much-needed donated supplies. Get involved today by donating to or volunteering with a reputable organization.
— Teach Youth how to Prepare for Disasters: Disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts should take into account the unique needs of children, who make up roughly a quarter of the U.S. population. Get kids involved in building their own emergency kits. Make sure to include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.
“Today is the perfect time to prepare yourself and those you love for unexpected emergencies or disasters,” said DEM Chief Dave Fogerson. “We’re encouraging Nevadans to find out what hazards could affect their areas and then take actions to increase their preparedness. Taking a few minutes today on personal preparedness can help you and your family stay safe when disaster strikes. Preparedness is more than making a plan and building an emergency supply kit, it’s about communication, mitigation and education. While being prepared will not prevent a disaster, it will provide the foundation for an expedited recovery and instill the confidence to meet challenges when they arise.”
Throughout September, DEM will post daily preparedness tips on the following platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
DEM also maintains the state’s Plan Ahead Nevada Preparedness website, ​a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during and after disasters.
During disasters, DEM uses the website, and the social media platforms listed above to provide critical information about the incident, including shelter locations, road closures, safety information, photos and more.
