(WISCONSIN) State officials are highlighting the importance of being prepared for emergency weather this month. September is National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme is preparedness starts at home.
Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle says building a base level of preparedness helps families and communities recover faster and become more resilient in the event of an emergency.
Officials with Ready Wisconsin highlight the following safety tips:
- Develop your blueprints. Know what disasters and potential risks that could happen where you live, work, or go to school. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts. You can receive alerts in several ways, including a trusted weather app, Wireless Emergency Alerts, local news, or a community alert system such as Nixle or Code Red.
- Set your Foundation. Develop a family emergency plan that includes what to do in the event an emergency or disaster forces you to remain at home for several days or you are forced to leave your home. Make sure the plan is practiced.
- Add the Finishing Touches. Create an emergency supply kit. Gather key items to get through an emergency in one location such as a first aid kit, nonperishable food, water, and flashlights. Remember to think about medical needs and don’t forget to include supplies for your pets. Make sure they are in waterproof and portable containers so you can take them with you in case you need to leave your home.
- Plan a Maintenance Timeline. Review your home and vehicle insurance policies to make sure you have adequate coverage during an emergency or disaster. Make sure you have access to your documents, whether they are in a waterproof container or accessible through the cloud. Update files annually or whenever there is a change.
Officials note that as fall arrives, it is also important to consider mitigation steps you can take to reduce the risks of potential disasters to your home. Seasonal mitigation may include trimming branches, cleaning your gutters of leaves and debris, or scheduling a roof inspection.
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