Spring into preparedness!

If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change! Friday, I walked my son to school in the snow, then had to put my sunglasses on during the drive to work minutes later. While the weather continues to shift between sun and snow, an annual sign spring is almost here to stay comes this weekend.

Photo courtesy: realtormarny.com

Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2am on Sunday. Now, you probably won't wake up to change your clocks at exactly 2am, but will prepare for the "spring forward" by doing so before going to bed on Saturday. Since you're preparing ahead anyway, take some time this weekend to make sure you and your family are prepared in case of emergency.

The batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be changed annually, and this is a great time to do so. You don't forget to turn the clocks ahead an hour each year, just change the batteries at the same time! At the very least, you should test your alarms to make sure they're working.

Have you or your friends and family moved in the past year? Make sure your emergency contact information is up-to-date, and includes someone from out-of-town in case disaster causes your family to be separated. Check your emergency preparedness kits to ensure none of the food or water has spoiled, and that there's at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water. Change the batteries in the flashlight and radio, and update any medications. This is a good time to replace those winter clothes in your kit with spring and summer supplies such as suntan lotion and insect repellent as well.

We all want to to be able to enjoy the spring and summer, and taking a few moments at the beginning of Daylight Saving Time to prepare can help us do so safely. For more information on how to Be Red Cross Ready, or to schedule a free emergency preparedness class at your school, business or other organization, contact Denise Herkey-Jarosch at denise.herkey-jarosch@redcross.org or (716) 878-2231.