January is 'Resolve to Be Ready" Month: Follow these tips
Jan 01, 2021 02:00PM ● By Editor
From ready.gov- January 1, 2020
This year, resolve to be prepared. Make a plan and follow this list of emergency preparedness tips during January: Resolve to Be Ready Month
This year, resolve to be prepared. Make a plan and follow this list of emergency preparedness tips during January: Resolve to Be Ready Month
Make a Resolution
- Make an emergency plan: choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact.
- Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster.
- Get to know your neighbor and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.
- Snap photos of important documents and save them in a secure place or online.
- Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies.
- Take a class in CPR and first aid.
- Keep and update emergency supplies; remember to include cash.
- Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.
- Snap pictures of your property for insurance purposes.
- Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
- Sign up for alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts, safety tips, and locate open shelters.
- Save for a rainy day! Start and grow your emergency fund.
- Financially prepare for the New Year. Find out how with the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.
- Spend within your means. Use a personal budgeting worksheet to help plan for holiday expenses and beyond.
- Build up your savings. Put a small amount in your account the first of every month beginning January 1.
Get Tech Ready
- Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts, safety tips, and locate open shelters.
- Sign up to receive text or email alerts about emergencies from your local Office of Emergency Management.
- Snap photos of important documents and save them online or in a secure place you can access during an emergency.
- Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family at the same time during emergencies.
- Download money saving apps to help you save for a rainy day.
- Have external power sources available to charge phones and other devices in case of a power outage. #ResolveToBeReady #PrepTips
Preparedness Tips
- Include cash in your emergency supply kit. During an extended power outage, ATMs and credit card machines may not work.
- Check-in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm.
- Pick an out-of-town person for everyone to contact during an emergency.
- Preparing your family for an emergency is as simple as having a conversation over dinner. Make a plan tonight.
- As part of your family’s emergency supply kit, include games and toys to keep children entertained.
- Get prepared by having an emergency supply kit already stored. www.ready.gov/kit #ResolveToBeReady
- Snap pictures of your property and make an inventory for insurance purposes.
- 30: The number of days it takes for flood insurance to begin. The time to buy is when it’s dry.
- If you rely on public transportation, contact your local emergency management agency about evacuation procedures before a hurricane.
- Make a list of the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.
- Prepare your car for winter: keep your gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Make a plan to check on neighbors if extreme cold or winter weather knocks out your power.
- Learn how to shut off the utilities where you live, including water, electricity, and gas.
- #PrepTips: Take a first aid and CPR class. www.ready.gov/safety-skills #ResolveToBeReady
- Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate. Don’t forget to include pets in your plans! www.ready.gov/evacuation #ResolveToBeReady
- Assemble supplies for a “go-bag” you can carry if you need to evacuate www.ready.gov/evacuation #ResolveToBeReady #PrepTips
- Make a portable emergency kit for your car www.ready.gov/car #ResolveToBeReady
- Save. Save. Save. Your emergency savings can help you get life saving items like food, shelter, and water in an emergency. Saving tips: www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness #FinancialFuture
- 48% of people have an emergency fund, which gives them the savings to overcome simple emergencies. www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness #FinancialFuture
Planning with Pets
- Take a current photo of you and your pet together in case you get separated during a disaster. www.ready.gov/pets #ResolveToBeReady #PetPreparedness
- Search online today for local pet-friendly evacuation locations in case you need to evacuate.
- Update your pet’s microchip registration info so you can be contacted if your pet gets lost in a disaster. www.ready.gov/pets #ResolveToBeReady #PetPreparedness
- Put your name and contact information on your pet’s ID tag in case you’re separated in an emergency. www.ready.gov/pets #ResolveToBeReady #PetPreparedness
- Remember to include your pets in your family's emergency plans.
