With the anniversary of the 9-11 attacks and the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina are all the reminders we need that it pays to be prepared for natural and terror-related emergencies.
September is National Preparedness Month, and we should all take some basic steps to be prepared. No matter how safe and secure you may feel today, the worst could happen, if not here, then perhaps at some point in the future in another location. That’s when you’ll wish you had taken the time to plan for the worst.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to urge Americans to make plans and learn about the resources they can use to prepare for emergencies. DHS is encouraging Americans to obtain emergency supply kits, make family emergency plans and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could affect them.
We encourage our residents to visit the DHS website at www.ready.gov. In addition to planning guides and an instructional video, the website offers a variety of preparedness tips, as well as specialized information for seniors and people with disabilities and other special needs.
The government’s message to Americans is clear: “We must have the tools and plans in place to make it on our own, at least for a period of time, no matter where we are when disaster strikes. Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense.”
Visit www.ready.gov and plan ahead. We should always hope for the best, but we are shortsighted if we don’t prepare for the worst.
