WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and an honorary Congressional Co-Chair of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Preparedness Month released the following statement to highlight the beginning of September and National Preparedness Month:
“I often say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That certainly rings true when it comes to preparing for natural and manmade disasters. As the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I work hand in hand with my congressional colleagues to ensure that our government is prepared to respond to disasters and help save lives. The responsibility of preparing for disasters, though, cannot fall solely on the government. Each of us must take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones when a disaster occurs. National Preparedness Month encourages all Americans to share techniques and to access tools that can save homes, businesses, and even lives. I hope everyone will take a few minutes this month to sit down with their families and come up with a plan.”
For information on how best to prepare for a disaster, the Red Cross provides the following tips for your family, home, business and employees:
Get a Kit. Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.
Make a Plan. It is important to make sure that the entire family is prepared and informed in the event of a disaster or emergency. You may not always be together when these events take place and should have plans for making sure you are able to contact and find one another.
Be Informed. Learn the types of disasters or emergencies that may likely occur in your area. These events can range from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like an earthquake or flood.
For more information, visit www.redcross.org/prepare, http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan or http://www.fema.gov/plan-prepare-mitigate