September is National Preparedness Month: Is Your Family Ready?

Sponsored by the Ready Campaign, and with support from Coalition Members across the nation, National Preparedness Month (NPM) is held each September to increase public awareness about emergency preparedness.

Snohomish County Fire District 7 urges citizens to update or create their emergency supply kit and family plan this September. "Having a supply kit and plan for your family will help alleviate some of the stress when a disaster or emergency strikes," explained Public Educator Autumn Waite.

"Creating or updating a kit and a plan is often overlooked on a family's to-do list. National Preparedness Month is a great time to remind everyone." This year, NPM focuses on encouraging everyone to take active steps toward getting involved and becoming prepared. Preparedness is everyone's responsibility.

Put together an emergency supply kit. Make a family emergency plan. Be prepared to help your neighbor. Work as a team to keep everyone safe.

• Create your personalized Ready list. You may not need everything in ready-made kits. Choose the essentials to fit your needs. Dont forget to keep supplies at work and in your car.
• Store water in safe, containers. Make sure your water containers are disinfected and airtight.
• Think ahead. Dont buy preparedness items just before a storm when they're expensive and supplies will be in high demand. Buy items at the end of the season when you can get good deals.
• Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes-renters, too! When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.
• Update contact records. Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need.
• Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80. Just one night staying in could fund your Ready kit (try watching a good disaster movie at home instead&in keeping with the preparedness theme).

Above all, start now, take small steps, and before you know it, you will be Ready!

To learn more about how you can prepare for emergencies visit ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY, TTY 1-800-462-7585.