September is National Preparedness Month

BBB provides important information from Ready.gov and FEMA to help you prepare and protect your family during a disaster. Although nothing really prepares you for what happens when a disaster strikes, you can take measures to be better prepared.

BBB, Ready.gov and FEMA provide the following tips to prepare and protect your family during a disaster:

• Prepare yourself and your family for a disaster by making an emergency plan.
• Download the Family Communication Plan for Parents and Kids (PDF - 1.2 Mb), print the pages and fill them in offline.
• Your emergency planning should also address the care of pets, aiding family members with access and functional needs and safely shutting off utilities.
• You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one. Read more about school and workplace plans.
• Once you’ve collected this important information, gather your family members and discuss the information to put in the plan. Practice your plan at least twice a year and update it according to any issues that arise.

More important information to prepare and protect your family:

http://www.ready.gov/infants-young-children – how to protect young children.

http://www.ready.gov/seniors – how to protect our senior citizens.

http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals – don’t forget your pets.

http://www.ready.gov/family-communications – discuss with your family NOW! You can become separated during an emergency.

http://www.ready.gov/get-tech-ready – sign up now to get text messages from FEMA.

http://www.ready.gov/escape-routes – where to go when an emergency happens. Plan NOW!

http://www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness – disasters can bring financial burdens that you never could have expected. Research and plan ahead NOW to see what you can do.

Remember to have drills on a regular basis. Teach your children to remain as calm as possible and stay true to the plans if a disaster should strike. Don’t take any risks! Safety should always be your first priority.