September is Emergency Preparedness Month
Make a Plan -- Does your family have an "All Hazards Plan," which will protect everyone no matter what the emergency? Create one and make sure it includes what to do if you need to evacuate your home and how you would handle sheltering-in-place.
Prepare a Kit -- Make the time to prepare an emergency supply kit now and remember it should be able to sustain your family for three to five days. (Spanish language preparedness information is also available.) Basic kit contents should include:
- Water (one gallon per person per day)
- Ready-to-eat foods
- A flashlight and extra batteries
- A portable radio
- First aid supplies
- Prescription medications you regularly take.
Pets and Emergencies
A Zogby International poll found that 61 percent of pet owners will not evacuate if they cannot bring their pets with them. Other than service animals for individuals with disabilities, American Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety regulations.
So, to prepare for disasters, the Red Cross recommends you contact relatives and friends and research “pet-friendly” hotels, motels and animal shelters along your evacuation routes and keep this contact list in your disaster supplies kit.
Then, if you must evacuate, take your pets with you if you. If it's not safe for people to stay in an area, it's not safe for pets. The Red Cross provides more information on emergency pet safety.
Check Your Smoke Detector
Each spring and fall when you change your clock, remember to change your smoke detector battery. Regardless of the time of year, however, the Greensboro Fire Department will provide free batteries and / or a free smoke detector with installation. Request this service by email or by calling 574-4088. Simply provide your name, address, and phone number, and someone from the nearest fire station will contact you to schedule an appointment.