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National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year.

During NPM, we are reminded of the importance of personal preparedness and are encouraged to prepare ourselves for emergencies that could impact our homes, businesses, schools, and communities.

The theme for NPM this year is: Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today. The COVID-19 pandemic and this trying year show us that we can never be too prepared for what may come our way.

Being aware of your risks and taking a few simple steps to prepare yourself and your family can make a huge difference.

Below are some NPM actions to help you prepare now:

• Organize disaster supply kits for your home and vehicles. A supply kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Most items in a basic kit are inexpensive and easy to find, and you might already have a lot of the items in your home. After a disaster happens, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Your disaster kits should have enough food, water, and other essential items to sustain everyone in your home (including pets) for at least three days. Make sure to update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control due to the coronavirus.
  
  
• Visit the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management (CCOEM) website for more tips and an emergency supply kit list.
  
  
• Take time to learn life-saving skills—actions you can take to prepare for and protect against disasters and severe weather events. Install smoke, carbon monoxide and natural gas detectors and test them monthly. Know how to turn off utilities, like water and gas. Talk to your landlord or building manager about evacuation routes and fire safety. Know two ways out of your home in case of a fire and practice evacuation plans.
  
  
• Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance policies and coverage. In Cuyahoga County, typical hazards include, power outages, floods, tornadoes, snowstorms, extreme cold, and extreme heat. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.
  
  
• Consider the costs associated with disasters. Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. Have small bills on hand because ATMs and credit cards may not work after a disaster when you may need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel, or food.

Visit ready.cuyahogacounty.us or ready.gov for additional information on emergency preparedness and National Preparedness Month. Follow CCOEM (@CuyahogaOEM) and the official NPM hashtag, #BeReady, on Facebook and Twitter for additional messages on NPM.

The Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management also runs ReadyNotify — a free, mass notification system that is used by communities and county agencies to issue notifications to the public. Register to receive warning and alert messages or contact CCOEM at 216-443-5700.