If there’s ever been a year to remind us that it’s important to be prepared for just about everything, this is it. 2020’s been a wild ride so far. It makes National Preparedness Month feel that much more important.
In fact, the 2020 theme for National Preparedness is spot on: “Disasters don’t wait. Make your plan today.”
What does making a plan look like for you? It depends on a few things, including where you live and the makeup of your family.
To help you get prepped so that if disaster does strike, you and your loved ones know how to respond, we want to outline some resources and tips.
Get informed based on your location
Being ready for anything would be a giant undertaking. But you don’t have to prep for every eventuality — just the ones that are most likely based on where you live. For Californians, that means wildfire and earthquake preparedness. For people on the East Coast, that means being ready in the face of a hurricane.
So you can prep based on your location, here are some great resources from Ready, a nationwide public service campaign the federal government launched in 2003.
Get informed about preparedness for:
Celebrate the weeks of National Preparedness Month
Those links will help you start to get prepared. But if you want to take it to the next level, you can participate with Ready in the weeks of National Preparedness Month. They are:
Week 1: September 1-5— Make A Plan
Having a plan in place ensures that you and your loved ones know how to respond in the face of an emergency. That can mean mapping safe routes out of town, agreeing on a safe location where you can all meet up, and memorizing emergency phone numbers. With this plan, you can rest easier knowing you’ll be ready to act if the situation requires it.
Week 2: September 6-12 — Build A Kit
If you need to shelter in place, a prepped emergency kit can make all the difference. Your kit should include staples like nonperishable food and water. From, there add things based on your family’s specific needs, whether that’s medication or pet food.
The link above has a checklist you can use to build your kit.
Week 3: September 13-19 — Prepare for Disasters
You can do things now that can make a big difference later. Check your insurance policies to make sure you have sufficient coverage. Scan your home or apartment to make sure it’s safeguarded against disaster. Putting in a little work now can keep you safer and less stressed if disaster does strike.
Week 4: September 20-26 — Teach Youth About Preparedness
National Preparedness Month isn’t just for adults. In fact, it’s a great opportunity to talk with your kids about the fact that life is unpredictable, but you can take steps to be ready. These conversations might help them open up to you. They can also help them feel safer in a world that has proven to be pretty scary in the last year.
Celebrate National Preparedness Month with your loved ones so you can all rest a little easier.
Preparedness helps with future disasters, but it doesn’t do much for the ones we’ve already faced. If fires, the pandemic, or other hardship has taken a toll on your mental health, we’re here. At the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center, we’re offering telehealth therapy to help you. Contact us to get started.
