|
During September, the City of Mesquite is recognizing the importance of National Preparedness Month. The goal is to increase public awareness about emergency situations.
Emergencies can occur at anytime. Severe weather, a house fire or major power outages can disrupt a family's daily routines. In the 2009 Citizen Corps National Survey, only 36% of people believed disasters could ever occur in their community. Follow these three simple steps to ensure your family is prepared:
Get a Kit: In a disaster, first responders may not be readily available. It is suggested your emergency kit has enough supplies to sustain you for 72 hours. A personalized kit can aid you in this. Some things to consider for the kit to make it your own:
- Non-perishable food and water for three days
- Battery powered radio and NOAA weather radio
- Local maps
- Medication
Make a Plan: When a disaster occurs, your family may not be at the same location. A plan should be in place for how you will get back together. Planning for different situations can aid you when something actually occurs.
- Identify an out of town contact that everyone calls if something happens
- Printable comprehensive emergency plans can be found online at www.ready.gov
Be Informed: Learn about different disasters that could affect you and your family and make sure that you know how to respond to them. National Preparedness Month is a great time to start taking steps towards getting prepared. There is protection through preparedness. Let's get ready Mesquite! For more details, please visit http://www.readymesquite.com/ or call the City Emergency Management Office at 972-329-8532. |
September is National Preparedness Month