COLUMBUS – September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide campaign that reminds everyone that being prepared for emergencies and disasters helps protect families, neighbors, and entire communities.
This year’s theme, “Preparedness Starts at Home,” encourages residents to return to the basics by focusing on four simple steps: Know Your Risk, Make a Family Emergency Plan, Build an Emergency Supply Kit, and Get Involved in Your Community.
“Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated or costly,” said Jeffrey J. Young, Director of Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FCEM&HS). “Taking simple steps like keeping important documents safe, writing down key contacts, or setting aside extra food and water along with focusing on the basics of knowing your risks, making a plan, building a kit, and getting involved, can make a big difference by helping families stay safe and communities remain strong.”
This National Preparedness Month, take these steps to be prepared and stay safe:
Know Your Risk
- Discover the top hazards in Franklin County at fcemhs.org
- Have multiple ways to receive alerts.
- Sign up for automatic weather notifications with ALERT Franklin County at www.alertfranklincounty.org.
- Have a NOAA Weather Radio and monitor local TV/radio for updates.
- Get text alerts by texting FCReady to 888777.
Make a Family Emergency Plan
- Plan how to communicate and where to meet family members.
- Prepare your evacuation plan and shelter locations.
- Consider your household needs, disabilities and pets.
- Practice your plan with family members.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
- Create a disaster supply kit with essentials to help you, your family, and pets stay safe at home for at least 3 days.
- Include items such as water, medications, batteries, chargers, important documents and essentials for both people and pets.
Get Involved
National Preparedness Month is a reminder that even the smallest, low-cost steps taken today can make a big difference tomorrow. FCEM&HS urges all residents to take the time this September to prepare, protect, and stay ready.
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