For me, September usually marks the end of lounging by the pool, soaking up summer’s last rays of sun. But since joining the Red Cross family last month, September now means getting a kit, making a plan, and staying informed. Yes, that’s right, September is Preparedness Month here at the Red Cross, and we’re trying our best to get the word out about the three basic steps for preparing for emergencies.

 

The first step in preparing for an emergency - whether big or small - is to get a kit. An emergency preparedness kit consists of things you probably already have around the house, for instance, flashlights, bottled water and blankets. The purpose of having a kit is to have all those things in one place, so you’re ready to go in case of an emergency, rather than spending time digging through numerous drawers and closets to get everything you need.

 

So what should be included in an emergency preparedness kit? Here are the basics:

Of course, you can include other things that you think are really important for you to have. Anyone who knows me, would know that I would never go anywhere without my cats, so I include pet supplies (food, water, carriers, etc.). I’m also the kind of girl that pays for a gas station soda with a debit card, so having cash in my kit is important, because chances are I wouldn’t have any. I also depend on duct tape to fix just about everything, so having some of that, along with other tools, is a good idea. Some other things that you can include are:

Once your kit is started, your mind can be at ease knowing that you can handle those unexpected situations that come your way, and you can get back to enjoying the last lazy days of summer.

 

Jillian