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Are you prepared?
As we enter September, it is important to recognize National Preparedness Month, a time dedicated to promoting the importance of preparing for emergencies and disasters to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities safe.
While the resources and information provided during National Preparedness Month and on Ready.gov are available for everyone to use at any time, this year's focus is on preparing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The goal of the Ready Campaign is to ensure that all individuals have the necessary tools to prepare for disasters and build resilience proactively.
The theme for 2024 is "Start a Conversation," emphasizing the importance of discussing potential emergencies and disasters with our loved ones. While these conversations may be difficult, they are crucial for taking steps towards preparedness and safety. By initiating these discussions, families can work together to create a plan and take action.
What you should know about preparedness
Talking about bad things that could happen like a disaster or emergency isn’t always easy. We may think we’re protecting the people we love by avoiding these conversations, but they are important to start taking steps to get ready and stay safe.
Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:
- Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
- It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
- Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.
Learn How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Emergency and Disasters
Find information and tips on how to protect yourself and your family before, during and after emergencies and disasters by visiting Disasters and Emergencies | Ready.gov. Information on hazards like floods, extreme heat, wildfires and more is available in several languages. The page also features information about emergency alerts, how to make an emergency plan and more.