CLEAR LAKE – September is Preparedness Month in Iowa. It is an opportunity for everyone to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities. Iowa’s Preparedness Month is held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month, which is observed each September in the United States of America and sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
During Preparedness Month, Johnson County Emergency Management encourages Iowans to take three simple steps to ensure they are prepared.
Step One: Make an emergency plan. You and your household may not be together when an emergency happens. Identify a meeting place and out-of-town contact. Knowing what to do, where to go, and how to stay in touch with each other is important.
Step Two: Build an emergency kit. Include essentials like water, non-perishable food, first-aid and medicines, supplies for children and pets, and hygiene items for your household for 3-7 days. Your kit should be in an easy-to-access location and include a grab-and-go option.
Step Three: Be aware of hazards in your area. Learn about the emergencies your community may face and how to respond. Sign up for local alerting and emergency notifications through Alert Iowa at Alert Iowa.
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit http://www.beready.iowa.gov.