National Preparedness Month: 30 Days of Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month, which is the perfect time to begin preparing for the winter weather and other emergencies before they strike. Whether it be a major snowstorm or power outages, it is crucial to anticipate every scenario. By preparing now, you and your family can learn how to approach any unexpected emergency.

Preparing for disasters through small activities each day can help make the process more manageable. Doing things like preparing your home, gathering materials, and making a plan are all great ways you can begin. 

September 1: Build an Emergency Kit for Your Car. It is common to face hazardous weather on the road in Western New York due to winter weather, flooding, high winds or ice. While you may not know when this emergency can occur, it is important to be prepared for the worst by making a kit that includes a first aid kit, warm clothing, water, a snow shovel and ice scraper, a flashlight with batteries, and jumper cables in case your car battery is affected.

September 2: Make a Communication Plan. In the case that your home loses during a disaster, it is important to make a communication plan with your loved ones. Create a contact list that includes your family members, neighbors, close friends, and someone out of town who can relay the status of your disaster. Keep a copy of your contact list in your emergency kits or in your wallet. If your texts fail to go through, be prepared with radios or an alternate offline messaging app.

September 3: Educate Yourself on Risks. While you never know when a disaster may strike, you can do research on what disasters are most likely to impact your area. Educate yourself on what people have done in the past to prepare and how they overcame each type of disaster. Visit redcross.org/HazardMap to see what could take place near you. Click here to learn how you can prepare for specific emergencies.

September 4: Enable Emergency Weather Notifications. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your government and weather apps to stay informed during critical times.

September 5: Prepare Your Property for Winter Risks. Before the winter season begins, prepare your home for possible disasters. Make sure your home is insulated and weatherized to ensure that heat is not escaping your home during cold months. Another step you can take is checking your heating systems, fixing any leaks, and protecting your water lines to prevent freezing. 

September 6: Download Our Winter Storm Preparedness Checklist. The Red Cross created a winter storm preparedness checklist, so you know what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Click here to download winter preparedness tips from the Red Cross.

September 7: Learn How to Prepare for People with Special Needs or Disabilities. Disasters can affect anyone, even those with mobility, learning, seeing, or hearing challenges. Preparing with a back-up plan, evacuation plan, and checklist that accommodates you or your loved ones’ needs is crucial. Click here to learn more.

September 8: Become CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certified. The Red Cross offers classes to help people learn life saving skills during an emergency. Click here to begin online courses so you can help someone safely and effectively.

September 9: Stock Up for Lights Out. In the scenario that your home loses power, it is important to stock up on essential supplies. These may include extra batteries, a flashlight, candles, and matches. These items can help you navigate the dark. 

September 10: Have Non-Perishable Food and Bottled Water. If your family gets snowed in or are unable to drive to the grocery store due to bad road conditions, it is important to have non-perishable food and bottled water in your home. The Red Cross recommends a 3-day supply in the event you need to evacuate, or a two-week supply if sheltering at home. Be sure to have one gallon of water per person, per day on hand.

September 11: Stay Informed with the Red Cross. The Red Cross Emergency app can give you access to local weather alerts, preparedness checklists, and shelters near you. Download the free service today by searching “Red Cross” in the app store, by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999, or visiting redcross.org/Apps.

September 12: Prepare your Pets. During an emergency, your pets will need you more than ever. Include them in your preparedness plans by stocking up on extra food and water for them and any other supplies they may need. To learn more about how to keep your pet safe during an emergency evacuation, visit redcross.org/Pets. 

September 13: Don’t Let Your Gas Tank Get Too Low. A disaster can happen at any moment. Having a full tank of gas can give you the ability to get to your loved ones or evacuate when disaster strikes.

September 14: Make Sure Your Car Winter Ready. If your area is prone to hard winters, make sure your car is prepared as well. In addition to making a kit with flashlights, batteries, chargers, and a first aid kit, consider getting snow tires so you can safely drive. 

September 15: Talk to Your Children About Disasters. Experiencing a disaster can be frightening and confusing for children if they don’t know what is going on. Because disasters strike quickly and happen without warning, it is important to educate your children beforehand in order to reduce their fears. For resources and tips for talking with children about disasters, click here. Prepare with Pedro is another Red Cross free educational program that can help young children learn about emergencies. 

September 16: Look Out For Your Neighbors. Connecting with the people in your neighborhood and community is important, especially during an emergency. In case of an emergency, look out for your neighbors to see if they need assistance.

September 17: Purchase a Fire Extinguisher for Your Home, Learn How to Use It. House fires happen every day but you can prevent it from happening to you. Know that extinguishers rated “A-B-C” are recommended for home use and every extinguisher works differently. Ask the manufacturer or your fire department to train you how to use it. When you need it, there won’t be time to read instructions. Click here for more fire safety equipment and usage tips.

September 18: Keep Your Important Documents in a Safe Place: In the case of a flooding or fire, you would need to act fast and grab what you can. Consider keeping your important documents such as insurance policies, passports, and other valuables in one place like a folder or a safe. This can allow you to access them quickly and with ease. 

September 19: Donate Blood for Your Community. Donating blood can save the lives of trauma patients, those living with chronic conditions or battling cancer and more. Taking a few moments out of your day can make a significant and lifesaving contribution to someone in your community. Make an appointment to donate blood nearest you at RedCrossBlood.org

September 20: Identify Local Shelters. If your home becomes inaccessible or unsafe due to winter storms or a fire, you will need to find a shelter, community center, or safe zone in your area. Do your research beforehand so you can act fast if the moment arises.

September 21: Prepare Alternative Cooking Options. Since you already stocked up on non-perishable food items, consider alternative cooking options such as camping stoves if you lose power. 

September 22: Have a Reliable Doctor. It’s hard to know how a disaster can affect someone’s physical health. If you get injured, it is important that you have a reliable doctor or healthcare clinic to go to. 

September 23: Include Cash in Your Emergency Kits. You may not always have your debit or credit card on hand when a disaster strikes. Including cash in your emergency kit can come in handy if you need to purchase gas, food, or water.

September 24: Check if Your Home is in a Flood Zone. To see if your home is in a flood zone, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online, ask your local planning or building departments, or get a professional assessment. Knowing if you are in a high-risk zone can help you add preventive measures to your home.

September 25: Avoid Overloading Circuits. Connecting too many devices or appliances to one circuit can lead to fires or prevent fire and power loss when you need it the most. Take a few moments out of your day to unplug what is not being actively used.

September 26: Stay Connected Through Social Media. Social media is a great way to receive quick information. Accounts such as local news stations, fire departments, and law enforcement can help you stay informed and connected to your community.

September 27: Stock Up on Medication. If roads are hazardous to drive in or your home gets snowed in, the medication you need may not be as accessible. Stocking up medicine is one way to take a preventative measure and combat sickness. For prescription medication, especially, make sure to include a 7-day supply in your emergency kit.

September 28: Volunteer with the American Red Cross. Preparing for disasters is just one way you can make a difference with the Red Cross. We offer a variety of volunteer positions for every interest and skill set, including volunteer roles that help respond to local disasters. Become a volunteer today!

September 29: Have Warm Clothes in Your Closet. As the cold weather approaches, make sure you have clothing that will keep you warm. This includes, hat, gloves, scarves, boots and a winter coat. 

September 30: Review and Update Your Preparedness Plan. Now that you have taken the steps to prepare for an emergency or disaster, it is important that you remember these steps. Review your emergency kits, safety procedures, and communication places. If you notice that you need to change any aspects of your preparedness plan such as phone numbers or meeting points, do so. 

Written by: Mary Claire Felix, Communications Volunteer, American Red Cross of WNY

Preparedness doesn't end with September

As we get ready to turn flip the calender from September to October, we also prepare to close the book on another National Preparedness Month. That doesn't mean our focus on preparing our families for emergencies should be closed with it, however.

Just look at what happened last weekend. Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to 16 fires across our 17-county Region between Thursday and Tuesday. None of those families knew ahead of time that an emergency was about to turn their lives upside-down. But of course, we do know what happens as we continue to flip calendar pages towards the winter months. You may not want to think about "Polar Vortexes" when the sun is shining and temperatures are in the 70s, but now is the time to prepare for the inevitable winter weather.

The American Red Cross has partnered with New York State to offer the Citizen Preparedness Corps training, a free one-hour session that provides a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from both natural and man-made disasters. A number of sessions have already been scheduled across the region, including next Saturday, October 4, during the North Tonawanda Fall Festival and Craft Show. Thanks to the support of the East Hill Foundation, every family that attends either the 1pm or 3pm session will receive a free fire extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector!

If you can't make it to North Tonawanda, a full list of Citizen Preparedness Corps trainings will soon be available on our website. You can also schedule a free, one-hour training at your business, school or organization by contacting Justin Pitts or calling (716) 878-2238. You may not get some of the freebies at the other sessions, but you will receive information that could save your family's life, and isn't that reason enough?

Fire safety lessons-Free!!

As the calendar flips to October, we say goodbye to another National Preparedness Month. Of course, here at the Red Cross, we preach the importance of disaster preparedness all year long, but we wrapped up September with a Fire Safety Day event Saturday to help residents in Buffalo's Schiller Park neighborhood prevent and prepare for the most common disaster--house fires.

Sr. Director of Emergency Services Ken Turner discussing
fire safety with East Side residents 

Senior Director of Emergency Services Ken Turner got the morning underway by telling families enjoying some light refreshments at the Schiller Park Senior Center that almost a quarter of the approximately 400 fires we responded to last year occurred on the east side of the city. Lt. Harris from the Buffalo Fire Department discussed some important fire safety tips such as how to properly use a fire extinguisher. A woman then shared the personal story of how she lost everything when her City of Buffalo home was destroyed by a dryer fire a few years ago.

Then it was lesson time. Louise Porter and Nicole Roma let the children through activities such as a maze demonstrating the difficulty of finding your way around through a fire, while Denise Herkey-Jarosch led the adults through some disaster planning exercises. One of the highlights of the morning was the opportunity to walk the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control's "Fire Safety House", a fully functional trailer that, among other things, can fill with "smoke" to give people a realistic demonstration of how difficult it can be to see during a fire and why it's important to have an escape plan mapped out ahead of time.

Area children get an interactive example of smoky
conditions inside "Fire Safety House"

The most important part of the morning came at the event's end, however. Everyone who came to the program enhanced their newly-learned fire safety skills by taking home a free smoke detector, courtesy of the Children's Fire & Burn Fund. This organization has given away hundreds of thousands of smoke detectors in the past 20-plus years, and President Daniel Moran told us how 36 lives have been saved when these free units were the only smoke detectors in the house when a fire started.

The event may be over, but the work continues. Volunteers will soon be following up with event attendees to make sure the smoke detectors have been installed and to see if they have discussed disaster plans with their families or neighbors. And further down the road, numbers will be compared to see whether the program--co sponsored by the American Red Cross, Buffalo Board of Block Clubs, Buffalo CERT, Buffalo Fire Department, Children's Fire & Burn Fund and Schiller Park Community Services--reduced the number of fires in this community.

Next week is National Fire Prevention Week, so there's no time like the present to schedule a free disaster preparedness education program at your school, business or organization by calling Louise at (716) 878-2230, and in the meantime, click here for more information on home fire safety and prevention!

Help support!

As it is National Preparedness Month, the Walden Galleria Mall is teaming up with the American Red Cross to promote Disaster Preparedness! This Saturday from 11am-2pm, you’ll be able to talk with American Red Cross representatives who will be on the lower level of the Galleria Mall (just outside of Sephora) handing out preparedness information, including a sample disaster kit and kid friendly preparedness materials and coloring books.  The preparedness information is to help educate the community on the importance of being prepared, especially after our close encounter with Hurricane Irene.  Although she didn’t cause a lot of damage here in the Western New York community, others weren’t as lucky.  Now is the time to get prepared in case there is another hurricane or other disaster, and the information that we’ll be handing out at the mall will do just that.

Speaking of Irene, we are continuing to help those impacted by Hurricane Irene.  To date, the Red Cross has served more than 1.6 million meals and snacks and provided approximately 58,000 overnight shelter stays since the storm made landfall on August 27th.  Over two dozen Red Cross staff and volunteers from the Western New York region remain on deployment to assist with the Hurricane Irene relief efforts in New York State and New England.  The Red Cross relief efforts are currently estimated to cost between $10-$15 million.

To help with this relief effort, there will be a collection canister for the Disaster Relief Fund located at the customer service desk, and a second canister will be available with Red Cross representatives near Sephora. 

 “We are extremely thankful the support of the Walden Galleria,” said Jerilyn Hickey, Director of Major Gifts.  “It is only because of the generosity of the American public that the Red Cross can be there to help our neighbors in need here at home, across the country, and around the world.  And promoting the importance of being prepared, the Galleria is helping to make sure Western New Yorkers are ready should a disaster hit here.”

To learn more about our disaster relief efforts, please click here.

To make a contribution to our relief efforts online, or to learn about other methods of giving, please click here.