September is National Preparedness Month

September 16, 2021

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM), a time when families, businesses, and communities are reminded to start developing disaster and emergency plans, or review their existing ones.

Organized by the Ready Campaign, in partnership with the Ad Council, NPM’s theme this year is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for Disasters is Protecting Everyone You Love,” which will focus on tips specifically designed to encourage preparedness within underserved communities.

Each week in September, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities.

Week 1: Make A Plan for Home & Work 

Talk to your co-workers, friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. 

Get tips for helping your children and teens learn about being prepared at Ready Kids.  

Week 2: Build A Kit

Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster.  Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Week 3: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness

Natural disasters don’t wait for a convenient time. Start today by signing up for alerts, safe-guarding important documents, and taking other low cost and no cost preparedness actions to lessen the impact of disasters and emergencies for you and your family.

Week 4: Teach About Preparedness

Talk to your co-workers and family about preparing for emergencies and provide information about how everyone can get involved.

Emergency Supply Kits for Child Care

Child Care Aware of America is encouraging child care programs to check their emergency supply kits to ensure they are well stocked with items for a short-term, and long-term emergency. Click here for details.