National Preparedness Month: Four Simple Steps to Be Ready

September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide campaign that encourages individuals, families and communities to prepare for emergencies before they happen. Here in Indiana, we're no strangers to severe weather, from tornadoes and flooding to winter storms and power outages. Taking a few simple steps now can help protect you, your family and your neighbors when the unexpected occurs.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) encourages all Hoosiers to focus on four key preparedness actions this month.

1. Learn Basic First Aid 🩹

One of the most important ways to prepare for an emergency is to know what to do before professional help arrives. Whether it's treating a minor injury, recognizing the signs of a stroke or performing CPR, basic first aid skills can save lives.

Consider reading the tips, watching the videos and even registering for a course from this webpage. If you've participated in a STOP THE BLEED® training, you're already building skills that can make a difference during an emergency. It's also a good time to check that your home and vehicle each have a well-stocked first aid kit.

2. Make a Plan 📋

Emergencies often happen without warning. Talk with your household about how you would communicate if cell service was unavailable, where you would meet if you couldn't return home and who would check on older relatives, neighbors or friends who may need assistance. Don't forget to include your pets in your emergency plans.

Having these conversations before an emergency happens can reduce confusion and help everyone respond more confident

3. Build a Disaster Kit 👜

You don't need to buy everything at once. Add a few items each time you shop until you have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least three days.

Consider including:

• Drinking water

• Non-perishable food

• Flashlights and extra batteries

• A first aid kit

• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio

• Necessary medications

• Phone chargers or backup battery packs

• Important documents stored in a waterproof container

4. Prepare for Common Indiana Emergencies 🌪️

Preparedness also means understanding the risks that are most common where we live. In Indiana, that includes severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, winter weather and extended power outages.

Take a few minutes to review what you would do during each of these situations. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, make sure your family knows where to shelter during a tornado warning and sign up to receive emergency alerts on your phone.

Prepared Neighbors Build Stronger Neighborhoods 🏘️

Preparedness isn't just about your own household. It's also about looking out for one another. Check in on neighbors who may need extra assistance during severe weather, share information from trusted sources and offer a helping hand when it's safe to do so.

Little Flower has always been a neighborhood that values community. By taking a few simple preparedness steps this month, we can help ensure our neighborhood is ready to face whatever comes our way together.

To learn more about National Preparedness Month and access planning guides, preparedness checklists and additional resources, visit the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Month webpage here.