September is National Preparedness Month, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to share tips and information about how to plan and be prepared in the event of a disaster.
The “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.” theme will cover different topics during each week of the month, with tips and skills that are relevant for disasters and emergencies including fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and more.
The information provided throughout the month will cover skills such as CPR and first aid, how to check your insurance policies and coverage in the event of natural disasters, how to save money for an emergency, and what practical steps can make the difference in a disaster such as shutting off water and gas lines.
The week-by-week themes and information include:
Sept. 1-8: Make and practice your plan
- How to make an emergency plan and practice it with your family
- Practice your fire escape plan by having a home fire drill at least twice a year, practicing how to evacuate from each room in your house
- Practice evacuating in the car with your animals
- Learn your evacuation zone and routes
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
Sept. 9-15: Learn lifesaving skills
- Understand basic home maintenance skills
- Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas
- Install smoke alarms on each level of your home and test monthly
- Safeguard your home from cooking, heating and electrical fires
Sept. 16-22: Check your insurance
- Check your insurance coverage and review what is and is not covered
- Understand the benefit of flood insurance and whether it is a benefit for you
Sept. 23-29: Save for an emergency
- Plan financially for the potential impact of a disaster
- Know which important documents you need to have in the event of a disaster and keep them handy
- Have an emergency supply of cash available
- Complete an emergency financial first aid kit
- Make digital copies of important documents in case they get destroyed
People can follow along on social media with the hashtags #PrepareNow, #FloodSmart and #NatlPrep. There are several social media toolkits available for public use, including how to prepare for winter and severe weather, pet preparedness, flood safety, how to discuss disaster preparedness with children, and more.
More information can be found at www.ready.gov/september.