September - Pledge to PrepareMONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

1 2Create a Family Communication Plan. Plan on how you will contact each other. Visit Ready.gov

Do you know where your utility shut-offs are and how to safely shut them down? Contact your utility if unsure.

3 4 5 6 7 8 9Keep financial, health, insurance, and ID records on a secure flashdrive or email account.

Make arranagements for emergency care of children, pets, and others if you can't get home.

Keep extra supplies such as hearing aid betteries, contacts, and glasses in a waterproof container.

Plan several evacuation routes from your residence and practice. Set up a meeting place outside.

Keep extra personal items, disposable plates and silverware in a waterproof container.

Take videos or pictures of the interior of your home and store on the secure flashdrive or bank box.

Check your smoke and CO2 alarms monthly. Plan for your pet: picture, supplies and keep vet info on flashdrive

10 11 12 13 14 15 16Establish out of town contacts and complete an emergency contact card for each person to carry with them.

Know what your child's school policy in case of an emergency. Also know what your employers plans are.

Make a list of all your credit and debit cards with account #s and contact #s. Put this on your flashdrive.

1 gal of water per day per person and 1 for your pet. Purchase foods with a long-shelf life and don't take water to prepare.

It is time to put that winter emergency vehicle kit together and put it in the trunk!

Volunteer for CERT, develop a church-based or employer disaster support team, or volunteer at shelters.

Keep toys for pets and small children in your kit, a deck of cards, or a small board game the whole family can play.

17 18 19 20 21 22 23A first aid kit and a small tool kit that includes a hammer, nails, screw driver, and wrenches will be helpful.

Keep your emergency kit in a designated location and have it ready in case you have to leave quickly!

A map of your neighborhood is helpful. It is confusing when familiar landmarks no longer exist.

Some websites for more information: www.iowahomelandsecurity.org www.ready.gov www.unioncountyiowa.org

Other great ideas for that emergency kit: sewing kit, whistle, detergent, hand soap, extra pr of shoes.

Talk to your emloyer about having emergency kits on hand & volunteer to get the list together & help put them together!

Solar or battery powered radio & weather radio will keep you informed of what officials are doing. Extra batteries?

24 25 26 27 28 29 30One of your storage containers should be a five gal bucket w/lid. Also put in heavy trash bags, TP, and towels.

Have a wrench and know how to shut off your natural gas. During a disaster gas leaks can cause fires & explosions.

Program your emergency contact in your cellphones under ICE. Have your charger w/ your phone.

Did you know text messages will often get through when calls wont. Teach everyone how to send a text message.

If you plan for all-hazards your plan will work. Consider what to do if you are separated. Communicate!

Did you know if you use a cordless phone it will not work during an power outage, keep an older line phone in your kit.

Start planning and purchasing for your emergency to go kit today!NOTES:

Ringgold County's new Emergency Alert Notification is an important part of our emergency and disaster information network. Please make sure you have all your phones registered and that your address is correct. Access this through the County Public Health website: www.rcph.net . Stay Safe and Be Prepared!

September is National Family Preparedness Month: This calendar is designed to help you prepare for all hazards. The tips provided here are based on the Safeguard Iowa Partnership's Twenty Weeks to Preparedness. For more information this program vistit www.safeguardiowa.org

Rember the first 72 may be on you!