It may be the Boy Scout motto, but it’s good advice for all of us: Be prepared!
Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed September as Emergency Preparedness Month to encourage families, businesses and schools to take steps to prepare themselves for all types of emergencies – from hurricanes to the flu.
September is North Carolina’s peak month for hurricane activity. Hurricanes Frances, Ivan, Floyd and Hugo all struck in September causing widespread devastation for large regions of our state. Already this fall, we have seen an increase in the number of flu cases as the 2009 H1N1 flu sweeps across the state and country.
Every family should have an emergency plan for what to do and where to go if they should need to evacuate their home. Take time now to assemble – or update – your emergency kit with extra food, water, clothing, medications and important documents. The easiest, most cost-effective thing you can do to protect your family is to plan ahead, gather those supplies and discuss your emergency plans.
Whether it’s a flu outbreak or natural disaster, emergencies can disrupt the systems we depend on such as electricity, clean water, grocery stores, gas stations, transportation, commerce and schools. If we each take responsibility to be prepared at home for those disruptions, then emergency crews can focus on helping those who are in life-threatening situations.
Information about planning for disasters of any kind is available in English at www.readync.org and in Spanish at www.listonc.org.
Take time now to get ready. Those families and businesses who have plans and supplies will fare better during any emergency than those who do not.