MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- As National Preparedness Month closes out, remember that preparedness does not only occur during September, but rather, year-round.
Is your family ready for a disaster? Globally, 27.8 million people are displaced by emergencies and disasters each year—that’s nearly one person becoming displaced every second. Fortunately there are simple ways individuals can prepare their family for any incident that occurs at any time.
A disaster can strike at a moment’s notice, leaving families without running water, heat, light or electricity. The simplest solution to these problems is to build an emergency kit containing food, water, medicine, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and a battery-operated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio.
Additionally, don’t forget about four-legged family members. Pack extra food, water and medications for Fido, too.
The purpose of an emergency kit is to sustain the family for up to 72 hours, or until help arrives.
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” - Benjamin Franklin
Ready.gov/make-a-plan offers several downloadable plans for parents and children. Plans should include work and cell phone numbers, email addresses and pre-identified meet up locations. Remember, a disaster does not wait for the most opportune time to occur, individuals may be at work while their children are at school. Have a plan for every situation!
Understand that emergencies will happen, and preparing for events now will save time and headaches during an actual disaster. Practice running drills as a family, so the training will be second nature during an incident. Children work best with positive reinforcement, so remember to encourage them—even during stressful situations.
For more information, visit the local Air Force Office of Emergency Management or www.beready.af.mil—and until next time—“Be Prepared and Be Ready!”