September Is National Preparedness Month

9/9/2022 (Permalink)

Flashlights, batteries, and other lights sit on a shelf, key ingredients to keep your home alight in case of emergency power outage.

Every year, a month is set aside to raise awareness of the importance of being prepared for crises and natural disasters that could occur at any time. Every year has a theme highlighting the year's major objectives. In addition, activities and planned schedules for each week of September help with achieving these objectives.

The government details a plan for national readiness and creates a list of the most important skills required to make it happen. This plan has five parts: prevention, security, mitigation, response, and recovery. National Preparedness Month is when people, organizations, and communities are encouraged to evaluate and improve their ability to deal with crises and disasters.

How It All Began

The word disaster derives from an Ancient Greek phrase meaning “bad star.” It refers to the idea that bad things happen as a result of planetary alignment. A disaster, crisis, or catastrophe is an event that causes severe damage to people, property, the economy, or the environment. A disaster, whether long-term or short-term, can destabilize society and alter people's perceptions of life. As a result, planning for these events is necessary to avoid helplessness when disasters occur.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established National Preparedness Month (NPM) three years after the September 11, 2001, attacks to encourage all Americans to make emergency plans. They chose September because of its historical significance and because the Atlantic hurricane season peaks in the middle of this month.

How to Prepare

National Preparedness Month, observed in September, encourages and reminds Americans to be prepared for crises or disasters in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Homeowners, families, neighborhoods, and businesses can use this opportunity to learn more about disaster preparedness, reduce risks to human health and the environment, and educate others.

Here are some simple tips to help you get ready:

Create a Pack

Gather supplies to last a few days after a disaster for everyone in your home. Remember to consider the specific needs of each person or animal if you need to flee quickly.

You should consider a few essential items: plenty of water, snacks like cookies or health bars, portable batteries for cellphones (ensure they are fully charged), and warm clothing like a sweater or rain jacket. Also, any chronic medication that is essential to maintaining your daily health. For your pets, water and food are essential.

Arrange and update your kit according to SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids' recommendations.

Plan Ahead

It is important to consider how to avoid these dangers and deal with them if they arise. You and your loved ones should talk about communication during and after a disaster. Check your strategy with SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids, whose team is committed to providing services that go above and beyond industry standards.

Contact Professionals

Take steps to minimize the impact of natural disasters on you and your loved ones. Call SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids at 616-622-9700 for immediate assistance in the event of an emergency or major disaster. For residential and commercial property, SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids has extensive experience restoring properties in the aftermath of a disaster. We prioritize getting you back to normal as quickly as possible with minimum cost.

Recognize the potential for disasters in your area and learn how to fortify your home to withstand storms and other common threats.

Also, check your insurance coverage to ensure it is up to date. We have all had instances where we were unprepared for emergencies. Fortunately, regular preparation for unforeseen circumstances has been shown to save lives and improve corporate results. This is why National Preparedness Month is celebrated.