National Preparedness Month is officially here!

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

September Is National Preparedness Month: What Are You Doing To Be Prepared?

September Is National Preparedness Month: What Are You Doing To Be Prepared?

National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This NPM will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.   

Take time to learn lifesaving skills − such as CPR and first aid, check your insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, earthquakes, and tornadoes. Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas.

The devastating hurricanes and wildfires of 2017 reminded the nation of the importance of preparing for disasters.  Often, we will be the first ones in our communities to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive, so it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.

2018 Weekly Themes

• Week 1: Sept 1-8                          Make and Practice Your Plan
• Week 2: Sept 9-15*                       Learn Life Saving Skills
• Week 3: Sept 16-22                      Check Your Insurance Coverage
• Week 4: Sept 23-29                      Save For an Emergency
• September 15 is a National Day of Action

Hashtags

• #PrepareNow
• #FloodSmart
• #NatlPrep

Graphics, Videos, and Related links

Check out tips and ideas to promote preparedness. For more engaging messages, attach appropriately sized graphics for specific social media platforms (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) and add emoji’s. 

• 2018 National Preparedness Month logo (.png)
• 2018 National Preparedness Month high resolution logo (.eps)
• Copy and paste our web content; just use Ready.gov as a source
• Don’t forget to include emergency preparedness messages in your social media, email signature, monthly newsletters, or other messaging tools
• Share public service announcements and instructional videos
• FloodSmart Survivor public service annoucements
• Print, share, or order FREE emergency preparedness publications
• Download the FEMA app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips
• Sign up for preparedness text messages:  Text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive  preparedness tips. (msg/data rates apply)

Social Media Content

Week 1:  September 1-8- Make and Practice Your Plan

Web Resources

• Make an Emergency Plan
• Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area
• Learn your evacuation zone and have an evacuation plan

Social Media Content

• Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can. Make an emergency plan today & practice it: www.ready.gov/plan#PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as a conversation over dinner. Get started with tips from www.ready.gov #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Does your family have a fire escape plan? Make one today & practice two ways out of every room. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Practice your fire escape plan by having a home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the home. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Download a group texting app so your entire crew can keep in touch before, during & after an emergency. #NatlPrep #PrepareNow
• Practice evacuating in the car with your animals, so they’re more comfortable if you need to evacuate in an emergency. #NatlPrep #PrepareNow
• Disasters don't plan ahead, but you can #PrepareNow.  Get the @fema app with weather alerts for up to 5 locations: www.fema.gov/mobile-app #NatlPrep
• Sign up for local emergency alerts in your area by searching online. #NatlPrep
• Contact your water and power companies to get on a “priority reconnection service” list of power-dependent customers if you rely on electrical medical equipment. #PrepareNow
• #PrepareNow. Find out if laws in your state permit pharmacists to dispense a 30-day refill of medications in an emergency.

Week 2:  September 9-15-Learn Life Saving Skills

Web Resources

• Know basic home maintenance to protect your family and home. Learn how to mitigate your home against flood damage, or protect against the impacts of earthquakes.
• Learn how to turn off utilities like natural gas in your home.
• Put smoke alarms on every level of your home, test them monthly, and replace them when they are 10 years old.
• Know the ways to keep your home safe from cooking, heating & electrical fires.
• On National Day of Action, Saturday, September, 15, hold a preparedness event. Some examples of events might be hosting a CPR class or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at your business, school, or house of worship; or volunteering with a local disaster response or recovery agency.

Social Media Content

• Keep your family safe. Install natural gas detectors throughout your house.#PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Commit to learning and sharing life-saving emergency skills with the #UntilHelpArrives training http://go.usa.gov/x5Xcm #PrepareNow
• What’s deadly, colorless, and odorless? Carbon monoxide. Protect your family by installing a carbon monoxide detector. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Do you know how to turn off the gas in your home? Learn how to in case you ever have a gas emergency in your home. #NatlPrep
• Be prepared for a power outage by having enough food, water, & meds to last for at least 72 hours: www.ready.gov/kit #PrepareNow
• Whether you need batteries for your remote or flashlight, always make sure you have spare batteries handy in an emergency: www.ready.gov/kit #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Never use candles for emergency lighting. Use flashlights and stock up on extra batteries. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Do you have emergency supplies? Get ahead of the next storm or wildfire by making sure you’re ready in case you are asked to leave your home: www.ready.gov/kit #PrepareNow
• Replace all home smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Put smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your furnace, water heater, and other heat-generating equipment. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Have chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year to prevent home fires. #PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Practice how to “Drop down onto your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Hold on to any sturdy covering until the shaking stops. More info at www.ready.gov/earthquake#PrepareNow
• Do you know what to do when an emergency happens? Learn actions to save a life #UntilHelpArrives: https://community.fema.gov/until-help-arrives #PrepareNow
• Giving CPR to a person struck by lightning can save their life. Learn how to perform Hands-Only and how to use an AED to prepare for a health emergency. #PrepareNow

Week 3:  Sept 16-22-Check Your Insurance Coverage

Web Resources

• Insurance is the first line of defense; check your insurance coverage and review the Document and Insure Property guide.
• Flood Insurance allows communities and families to recover more quickly and more fully. Visit Floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance and how to protect your home or business.

Insured Survivor Video Testimonials

• US Army Sgt. Boggs almost lost everything during Hurricane #Irma. Flood insurance gave him the financial protection he needed after the storm. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrEP2H_Lnf0 #FloodSmart #NatlPrep
• Jeff’s daughter was just one week old when Hurricane #Harvey hit. Flood insurance helped his young family get back in their home and back to their life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTB30uqgPNo#FloodSmart #NatlPrep
• “Having flood insurance meant having one thing less to worry about.” Rupi Prasad lost almost everything in Hurricane #Harvey. Flood insurance is helping her get back to her home and get back to retirement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmE4GQkfd0w #NatlPrep
• With flood insurance, John and Michelle Tipton are rebuilding their home safer and stronger after Hurricane Matthew. Flood insurance is worth the investment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmE4GQkfd0w #FloodSmart #NatlPrep

Social Media Content

• Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event.  Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage to your home. #PrepareNow #Floodsmart
• Approximately 80% of households impacted by Hurricane Harvey last year did not have flood insurance. Don’t become a statistic. Learn more about your flood risk: www.floodsmart.gov #NatlPrep #FloodSmart
• Most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Learn more about flood insurance at www.floodsmart.gov #PrepareNow #FloodSmart
• #PrepareNow. Snap photos of important documents and personal belongings to help you quickly file a claim after a flood: https://youtu.be/i3MfRpND5gk #NatlPrep
• Hurricanes bring heavy rains that may cause flooding. Think about buying flood insurance before the storm. www.floodsmart.gov #NatlPrep #FloodSmart
• Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S.  Are you protected?  Check your insurance policy today #NatlPrep #FloodSmart
• 30 Days: The number of days it takes for most flood insurance policies to go into effect. Don’t wait until it’s too late!  www.floodsmart.gov #PrepareNow #FloodSmart
• Anywhere it rains, it can flood.  Learn more about how flood insurance can help protect the life you’ve built. #NatlPrep #FloodSmart
• Find out if you live in a flood prone area and how flood insurance can lessen the cost to your family by visiting: www.floodsmart.gov. #NatlPrep #FloodSmart
• At least 25% of small businesses never reopen following a disaster. Purchase flood insurance to protect your business. #NatlPrep #FloodSmart

Week 4: Sept 23-30-Save For an Emergency

Web Resources

• Plan financially for the possibility of disaster.
• Complete an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK)
• Maintain emergency savings for use in case of an emergency

Social Media Content

• What important documents should you have for an emergency? The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit explains them all: https://go.usa.gov/xNhp6 #PrepareNow
• How will you pay your bills if a disaster strikes? Disasters don’t plan ahead, #PrepareNow: www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness #NatlPrep
• Over 40 percent of all Americans don’t have $400 in savings according to the Federal Reserve. What will you do if there is a disaster? Learn how you become more prepared:www.ready.gov/financial-prepaaredness #PrepareNow
• Keep some cash on hand in case of emergencies. #NatlPrep
• You will have expenses like lodging, food, and gas, after a disaster. Are you prepared? #PrepareNow www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness #NatlPrep
• Are you prepared for a flood? Floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster, causing billions of dollars in damage each year. #PrepareNow. Get tips: www.floodsmart.gov #FloodSmart
• The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is a tool to help you and your family collect and secure the documents you would need if there was a disaster. www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness#PrepareNow #NatlPrep
• Set aside a small amount from each paycheck to go into your savings account.Find more tips to help you manage your money to be prepared for the unexpected: https://www.usa.gov/flec #NatlPrep
• Only about half of all Americans have an emergency fund. This gives them the money needed to help with increased expenses after a disaster. Get tips about creating a fund: https://www.usa.gov/flec#PrepareNow
• Do you know the help your community provides if there is a disaster?  Search online today. #NatlPrep #PrepareNow
• Make digital copies of important documents and save them on the cloud or a secure cell phone app in case disaster strikes. #NatlPrep
• Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event.  Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 in damage to your home.  To learn more visit www.FloodSmart.gov #FloodSmart #PrepareNow