Day 1 – National Preparedness Month Challenge
National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools, and communities. With this September monthly challenge we hope to encourage you to take important steps to prepare for an emergency. These preparedness steps include:
- // Get an emergency supply kit – 72 or 96 hours what do you need?
- // Make a family emergency plan
- // Find the emergencies that may affect you
- // Take the steps to get trained in community preparedness and response efforts
- // How finances and debt affect your family
- // Short and long term food storage
- // Water storage
- // Spiritual preparations
As I write this Tropical Storm Isaac is bearing down on Louisiana and Mississippi and at least 800,000 people are without power. The people of the South East Region have, once again, boarded up and some states are experiencing mandatory evacuations during a declared state of emergency. Meanwhile in San Diego, a “swarm” of earthquakes has been menacing the surrounding area for the past few days and the residents there have been told to expect 1000’s more of these small quakes.
Prepare for All Kinds of Emergencies
We are encouraged to prepare for all kinds of emergencies – natural and man made – and know that it is only a matter of time before the preparations we have (or have not) made will be needed. According to a recent Allstate survey
“Americans’ lack of evacuation plans and procedures are a cause for concern. Nearly half (46 percent) of survey respondents say they have not thought about or even discussed an evacuation plan or meeting place away from the home for their family. These plans are crucial and should be discussed with relatives and neighbors in advance of a catastrophe.
The majority of Americans (62 percent) also say they have not prepared an emergency kit. Families should consider putting together a well-stocked first-aid kit as well as a disaster-supply kit and keeping them in easy-to-access places. The disaster-supply kit should contain a supply of water and ready-to-eat, non-perishable foods, a weather radio, traveler’s checks or cash, important papers, personal hygiene items, blankets, extra clothes and shoes.”
No matter where you are in your preparations – “I haven’t even thought about this!” or “I think I’m ready for whatever comes my way! “we hope you will join us over the next 30 days and take the time to learn skills and review your emergency preparedness plans.
Today’s Challenge:
GOOD – Get a 2″ binder and use it to collect the emergency preparedness information you will gather this month. Make a commitment to preparing.
BETTER: Have a family meeting and talk about the elements of preparedness. Look at www.providentliving.org for ideas
BEST: Pray about what your family needs to focus on during National Preparedness Month. Maybe you are doing great with food storage but need to concentrate on reducing your debt.
“We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being.”Julie B. Beck
Thanks for putting this all together! I am loving the layout and the peace that comes with it!