National Preparedness Month
Week three of National Preparedness Month is "Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters." If something happens, will your child know what to do? Disaster can strike anywhere, usually with little to no warning, so it's important to prepare your child for emergencies both at home or away from home. Start by helping them learn to communicate by reviewing these topics with them:
- Sending text messages in an emergency
- Emergency contact numbers and where they can be found
- Dialing 9-1-1 for help
Share your family emergency plan with your children and encourage them to get involved by building their own emergency kit. In addition to the essentials, it's important to include comfort items like a favorite stuffed animal, board games, books, or music.
For more information and resources about ways to help children prepare for a disaster please click here.
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Week two of National Preparedness Month is "Make a Plan". Now, more than ever it's important to have a plan prepared. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated, and establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. In addition, these four steps will help you and your family stay prepared:
- Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan:
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan? - Consider specific needs in your household.
- Fill out a Family Emergency Plan.
- Practice your plan with your family/household.
More information on how you and your family can make a plan is available here.
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If the COVID-19 pandemic has you thinking about emergency preparedness you're not alone. September is National Preparedness Month and each week we'll provide you with a different topic to help get you, your family, and your neighborhood prepared for disaster. Week one is Home Inventory Week and is dedicated to protecting your family by protecting your assets. What would you do if you lost everything in an instant? The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation encourages you to do two simple tasks:
- Build a home inventory
- Review your insurance coverage
For tips on how to build your home inventory and review your insurance coverage, please click here.
