Covering The Holiday That Raises Awareness About The Importance Of Being Prepared For Disasters & Emergencies
Life is a beautiful place, but it doesn’t always go according to plan. Emergencies happen and disasters are sometimes unavoidable. The best thing you can do when it comes to emergencies and/or disasters is to be as prepared as possible. That’s why the month of September is widely celebrated as National Preparedness Month! This article will discuss National Preparedness Month, the importance of being prepared for disasters, and the best ways to be prepared for disasters and/or emergencies.
Origin Of The Holiday
National Preparedness Month (NPM) was founded in 2004 by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). FEMA created this holiday as part of their national annual preparedness outreach program. The aim of this program was to educate and empower Americans regarding preparing for emergencies and natural disasters. Several other organizations have gotten involved with this awareness based holiday including The National Weather Service and the U.S. Department of Education. National Preparedness Month is a month-long holiday that occurs annually every September. It coincides with National Preparedness Day which annually occurs on September 30th.
What Is An Emergency Or Disaster?
Emergency situations happen everyday. Some of which are man-made while others occur naturally. A good example of a man-made emergency is a house fire. House fires can be started in a variety of ways, some accidental, some out of neglect, and some are just freak accidents. A good way to prepare for house fire emergencies is to run regular fire drills with your family and pets. Having an evacuation plan in place can potentially save your family members’ lives.
Additionally, mother nature can also be unpredictable. What natural disasters you may experience will vary depending on your location. Some of which include floods, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and wildfires. Although how you should respond to these emergency situations will vary, they are all dangerous situations to be in and should not be taken lightly. Being well prepared for these situations can make the difference between life and death for both you, your family, and your pets. For more information regarding dealing & coping with natural disasters, click here.
Being Prepared For An Emergency Situation
Although you can’t be fully prepared for everything, it’s still important to try. Every emergency situation can be handled better with proper planning. This applies to your pets as well. One of the best things you can do for them before an emergency is giving them proper identification. Be sure your pets identification tags are visible and up-to-date. Additionally, having your pet microchipped is another great way to keep them safe and identifiable should they become lost during an emergency situation.
Another great way to stay prepared for emergencies/disasters is knowing where to go in an emergency situation. If you find yourself in the midst of a flood or wildfire and have to evacuate your home, it’s important you know where to evacuate to. We recommend keeping a list of relocation options and phone numbers so you have immediate options of places to go.
Additionally, it’s also important to know who to contact in case you’re not home when an emergency situation occurs. Create a game plan with your neighbors and/or family members on what to do when an emergency situation occurs. Lastly, make an emergency kit for your pets in case you have to evacuate your home. Some useful items to keep in your pet emergency kit include things like bottles of water, a few days worth of food, copies of veterinarian records, poop bags, a first aid kit, extra medication, cat litter and pan, extra leash and collar, and a favorite toy.
Preparation Can Save Lives
Being unprepared for an emergency situation can be dangerous and even fatal. We recommend having a plan in place for any given emergency situation. Make sure your family members are aware of these emergency plans and fully understand what to do should an emergency arise. The more prepared you are, the better equipped you will be to handle any emergency situation life throws at you. For more information about how to prepare for emergencies and/or disasters, click here.
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