'Zombie Preparedness Month' Approved By Illinois House

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Zombie Preparedness Month is real, and it's coming this October.

Illinois lawmakers last month passed a measure establishing October 2017 as the state's Zombie Preparedness Month -- and while it sounds like fiction, it's aimed at raising awareness of the very real need to be prepared for natural disasters like tornadoes and floods.

"If the citizens of Illinois are prepared for zombies, than they are prepared for any natural disaster; while a Zombie Apocalypse may never happen, the preparation for such an event is the same as for any natural disaster," reads the resolution, introduced by Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Westchester) and co-sponsored by Reps. Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) and and Tim Butler (R-Springfield). "Tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters are real and all Illinois citizens should be aware of the potential danger," and have emergency supplies and plans in place, it adds.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency urges residents to be prepared for disaster to strike at any time by taking these four steps:

1. Make a Plan - Talk to family and friends about the types of emergencies that can occur.
2. Build an Emergency Supply Kit(s) - Have a kit for your house, vehicle, and your place of work. Be prepared to shelter in your home or to be evacuated.
3. Get Training - Learn first-aid and CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation). Know how to shelter-in-place and how to turn off utilities (power, gas, water) to your home.
4. Volunteer - Volunteer in your community as a CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) member, a firefighter, or an emergency medical technician.

Disaster kits should include water, food, first-aid supplies, non-prescription drugs like aspirin and antacids, tools and sanitation supplies. A full list of what should be in your emergency kit(s) is available online.

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