Get ready during National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month and the time to get prepared is now!

Disasters can strike anywhere at any time. In recent years across the U.S. and the world, disasters have increased in size and extent of devastation.

Being prepared can reduce your family’s anxiety over what to do during a disaster and will increase your resiliency following one.

Here are steps you can take now to get ready, no matter where you are:

At work:

• Review Michigan Medicine’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
  • Hospitals are required to have an EOP, which describes how a facility will respond to and recover from all hazards.
  • EOP’s can help you respond more efficiently and understand your role in an emergency better.
  • Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with Michigan Medicine’s EOP.

At home:

• Make an emergency kit. The kit should contain the following, though this is a very comprehensive list. Don’t let it overwhelm you, just start building it and add as you go along.
  • A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and non-perishable food. (Remember to change food and water every six months).
  • Eyeglasses, hearing aids, extra keys.
  • First-aid kit, extra prescription medications, copies of prescriptions, other special medical items.
  • Special supplies needed for babies or older adults.
  • Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence.
  • Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable).
  • Battery-operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries.
  • Phone numbers of family and friends.
  • Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations, list of places between your town and your destination where you can stop if the highways are clogged.
  • Coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic utensils.
  • Manual can opener, booster cables, tools.
  • Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra clothing.
  • Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products.
  • Pet supplies (food, water and medicines).

For more information, visit the Michigan Medicine Emergency Management Operations website.