September 7, 2022
September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) organized by Ready.gov. This is a time when families, businesses, and communities are reminded to review or develop their disaster and emergency plans.
Ready.gov is a national public awareness campaign promoting preparedness through public involvement. This year’s Ready.gov theme is “lasting legacy,” to signify lives are worth protecting, and preparing for disasters create lasting legacy’s for family members in case of an emergency.
“Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today.” – Ready.gov
Here are steps you can take to prepare for an emergency. First, watch this short video from Ready.gov to get inspired to prepare and plan.
Make A Plan for Home & Work
Talk to your co-workers, friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster and make a plan for evacuation, shelter in place, and more. Get tips & resources for helping your children and teens learn about being prepared at Ready Kids. Or start creating your family’s emergency preparedness plan today.
Build an Emergency Kit
Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control. See the full list of recommended supplies here.
Emergency Supply Kits for Child Care Providers
Child Care Aware of America is encouraging child care programs to check their emergency supply kits to ensure they are well stocked with items for a short-term, and long-term emergency. Click here for details.
Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
Take low/no cost preparedness actions to lessen the impact of disasters and emergencies, including:
- Signing up for emergency alerts here
- Safe-guarding important documents
- Ordering free materials online from FEMA
Check out these PDF resources for more ideas.
Teach About Preparedness
Talk to your co-workers and family about preparing for emergencies and provide information about how everyone can get involved. Check out these interactive games for kids. Click here to access the Spanish resource library.
Look for preparedness events in your area!
Look for local resources/events in your area to help you get started.
- 14th Annual Mat-Su Emergency Preparedness Expo Sept 24 10-3 pm at Menard Sports Center (United Way Mat-Su)
- Personal Emergency Preparedness (Municipality of Anchorage)
More Resources
- Infant Feeding in Disasters & Emergencies (AAP)
- Breastfeeding in Emergencies – Resources, Tools & Materials (USBC)
- Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Programs – Training of Trainers: December 6-7, 2022 (CCAOA)
- September marks National Preparedness Month in Alaska (KTUU)
- Emergency Preparedness Resources (ANTHC)
- Click here to read President Joe Biden’s proclamation on National Preparedness Month.