National Preparedness Month

Every September, National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized to promote awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies and disasters that can occur at any moment in time. The 2021 theme for NPM is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”

‍During this preparedness month the goal is to increase the number of communities and individuals that take part in preparedness activities/ actions at places like your home, school, work, and places of worship. Everyone should learn or refresh different skills that will be crucial in an emergency setting. These life skills include first aid and CPR, learning how to shut off water and gas. Also, you should be aware of having coverage for floods, earthquakes, and tornados.  

Each week in September, the campaign focuses on a different aspect of preparedness.

1. Planning on how to protect your health and safety in a disaster is often overlooked in the preparation process. In 2019,FEMA recorded that only 48% of people in their national household survey had an emergency action plan. There should be a plan on how to communicate before, during, and after a disaster with family and friends.   ‍

1. Medications to treat rate and rhythm  ‍
2. Medications to prevent blood clots
3. Medical interventions (surgical and non-surgical)
   

1. Have a talk with your kids on preparing foremergencies and what your action plan is: Where do you meet if there is a fire?What happens if you get separated?‍

1. There are personal needs that everyone cannot dowithout in an emergency. These include equipment and supplies that you need toprotect all aspects of your health and safety in an emergency. Collect youremergency supplies and create a “to-go kit” for everyone in yourhousehold in case of a quick evacuation. Some of these supplies could includehand sanitizer, masks, medical supplies, soap, water, non-perishable food, andprescription medications.‍

Week 2: September 5th-11th: Build a Kit

Week 1: September 1st-4th: Make a Plan

Week 3: September 12th-18th: Low Cost, No-Cost Preparedness

Week 4: September 19th-25th:Teach Youth About Preparedness

Everyone should be mindful to know how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected emergency preparedness and response in their area. Local guidance on evacuations and shelters may be different from years past due to the pandemic, so research what is the current policy taking place.

Resource

https://richlandhealth.org/national-preparedness-month-2021/