September is Preparedness Month – Are you ready for an emergency?

Tuesday September 3, 2019

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency encourages and reminds residents to be prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities.

“Weather-related disasters can happen at any time, which is why it is important to be prepared ahead of time,” says Jim Cook, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at the Community Health Agency. “You always hope that you will never need to use it, but like the 2019 theme suggests, it’s always better to be ‘Prepared, Not Scared’ in the event that there is an emergency situation.”

Follow the following tips so that your family is ready in the event of an emergency or disaster.

• Plan financially for the possibility of an emergency or disaster.

• Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area

• Create an emergency kit to have on hand – whenever you might need it.

Emergency Kits contain:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

• Flashlight

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

• Extra batteries

• Deluxe family first aid kit

• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

• Multi-purpose tool

• Sanitation and personal hygiene items

• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

• Cell phone with chargers

• Family and emergency contact information

• Extra cash

• Emergency blanket

• Map(s) of the area

• Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)

• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)

• Games and activities for children

• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)

• Two-way radios

• Extra set of car keys and house keys

• Manual can opener