I can’t help but wonder how many individuals affected by the wrath of Hurricane Harvey thought those words before it hit. As I publish this blog, many parts of TX remain under feet of floodwater even though the rain is over; dozens have been killed and that number continues to rise. In addition, CNN reported that that the entire city of Beaumont, TX (population 118,000) has no running water. Although many thought it couldn’t happen to them, it did.
How ironic that September is National Preparedness Month. And while it may be too late for many citizens of TX to go back in time and prepare for this unexpected disaster, it’s not too late for you. Anything can happen that you have no control over (fire, power outage, active shooter, tornado, extreme heat, extreme cold, storm, etc.). If any of these happened, are you prepared? If not, I want to share some general emergency preparedness information with you that you should take action on immediately. According to ready.gov, one of the first things you should do is to develop an emergency plan:
- How will you receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is your shelter plan?
- What is your evacuation route?
- What is your household’s communication plan?
2. Consider specific needs in your household (i.e. ages, dietary, medical, disabilities, communication, pets, etc.)
3. Fill out a Family Emergency Plan
4. Practice your plan with your family/household.
Please do yourself a favor and schedule this on your calendar for the immediate future. I bet many Texans wish they had. Remember the theme of National Preparedness Month… “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. YOU CAN.”
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ~ Benjamin Franklin ~
Brenda Tringali, HR, Organizing & Productivity Specialist
At YourFingertips Organizing (www.AtYourFingertipsOrganizing.com)
Serving Greater Myrtle Beach, SC or “virtually” anywhere (via phone/video)
Phone: 603.490.6062