Emergency Preparedness Week

The National Safety Council (NSC), announced that this week, June 16 - 22, is Emergency Preparedness Week as part of their National Safety Month. This week focuses on encouraging safe behaviors to prevent injuries and deaths in an emergency. Emergencies can include fires, natural disasters and terrorist hazards.

The NSC recommends that families have a plan in case of an emergency and practice it at least twice a year. A survival kit is also an important factor in any emergency plan. Emergency preparedness kit should include:

• One gallon of water per person, per day for three days
• Three days worth of non perishable food and a can opener
• Battery powered radio
• First aid kit
• Tool kit
• Moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Cell phone and portable charger

To be better prepared for emergencies, find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and man-made, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified. Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call, or emergency workers may go door-to-door. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) send free informational text messages to WEA-enabled cell phones within range of an imminent and dangerous local situation, severe weather event, or AMBER emergency. You do not need to register to receive WEA notifications. You will automatically receive alerts if you have WEA-capable phone and your wireless carrier participates in the program. To find out if your mobile device is capable of receiving WEA alerts, contact your mobile device carrier or visit CTIA The Wireless Association.

Another good way to be prepared is to think about where you and your family frequent and check with the locations about their site-specific emergency plans. If none are in place, consider volunteering to assist in developing one. If you think ahead of a crisis, you will be better prepared to reunited with your family.

If you are an employer, make sure that your workplace has a building evacuation plan and make sure this plan is practiced regularly. If there isn't a plan in place, visit ready.gov/business for more information on how to develop one. The SafetySkills online safety training course, Emergency Action Plans for Office Employees can provide employees with the knowledge and skills needed to understand emergency action plans and some protective actions that can be taken in different types of emergencies. Other helpful courses for workplace safety include, Fire Safety, Emergency Response, Basic First Aid and Severe Weather and Outdoor Work.

For more information about all of the SafetySkills online safety training courses, please visit us at SafetySkills.com.