September is National Preparedness Month here in the United States, but you do not have to live in the US to be prepared for an emergency, and you should not wait for September to begin making preparation. You never know when a crisis will affect you or one of your loved ones, so it’s important to take the time now to make sure that you’re all prepared and know what to do in the event of an emergency. Since this is the month to prepare yourself, your family, and your home, for emergencies, let’s delve into some of the things you must do to be the readiest you can be.

Learn about natural disasters in your neck of the woods and how to protect yourself from them

The first step to protecting yourself from a natural disaster is to learn about the different kinds that could affect your geographical region. Once you understand which disasters could possibly occur in your area, how you’ll know they’re happening, and what you can expect during them, you will be able to prepare properly. Teach your family what they should do to stay safe during each of those situations. After you all understand what should be done in each circumstance, you can then create your plans by visiting www.ready.gov/plan to access forms. You should have safe places designated for each possibility, whether it’s in your home or at a safe place somewhere else. Consider your family’s specific needs while establishing your plans and make sure to write down your arrangement so each family member can review your strategy often and memorize it.

Prepare older children to stay home alone

If you have children in your family that are old enough to stay home alone, you’ve likely already shared safety information with them. However, it’s always important to refresh their memory on those tips at regular intervals. Teach them how to safely use kitchen appliances, who to open the door for, when to call you, and more. Teach them how to lock up your home properly and how to use your home security system if you have one. Showing them tips online, such as Youtube Video How to Stay Safe Alone at Home, will help them learn how to protect the home and themselves while you’re away.

Choose a family safe word or sentence

A family safe word or sentence can be helpful for many different situations. A solid safe word is one that wouldn’t be used in normal conversation in your family. It’s also important to have a word that won’t allow others to know that something is wrong. For example, if you only have fish as pets, a good way to let a family member know that something is wrong would be to say, “Have you fed the dog?”. Children can also use a safe word to let their parents know that they need to speak about something that’s bothering them. Teach your children what they should do if you use a safe word, how they can stay safe, and how to let others know that something is wrong.

Stock up on emergency supplies

It is vital to have resources available in your home to help your family if an emergency arises. First, sign up each of your family members with a cell phone for emergency alerts. This way, each person knows if there is an emergency in your area. Next, find phone numbers and websites to communicate an emergency to others, like poison control and your local police station. Keep a list of these resources somewhere where everyone can easily access them. Finally, put together emergency kits to keep in your home and your car. Items that should be in your kit include long shelf life foods, first aid supplies, extra batteries, solar lights, candles, matches or lighters, personal hygiene items, and more. Visit www.ready.com/kit for more emergency kit information.

Teach fire safety tips to your family

The first step to teaching fire safety is to teach prevention. Make sure each member of your family understands how to properly use appliances that could potentially start a fire. Make sure your smoke detectors are functioning and have batteries. If the unfortunate situation of a house fire does occur, it’s important that your children know what to do. Teach them to stay low to avoid breathing in smoke and to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes catch on fire. A fun way to practice these tips with young children is to play Firefighter Says. You can also call your local firehouse to see if they have a time available when firefighters can teach your little ones all about fire safety and what they do. Last but not least show bigger children how to use a fire extinguisher, and when to use it. Always keep one handy!

These are but a few things to do to be prepared for a disaster. Be sure to follow the links and check the websites suggested here for more on disaster preparedness. Safety should be our #1 priority and we cannot take it for granted.

Now, how do you prepare with your family for an emergency? Are you prepared? Please share with us in the comment section below.

And, if you aren’t prepared, please take some time to get your house in emergency preparedness order.

With love, gratitude, and empowered attitude,