Be Red Cross Ready – How to Prepare BEFORE a Disaster Occurs

Voices of Self-Reliance with Troy Staples, American Red Cross Regional Director of Preparedness & Resilience for Colorado & Wyoming

Disasters can happen anywhere, anytime—even in someone’s own home. September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross is urging everyone to take three easy steps to get their household ready for emergencies.

THREE ACTION STEPS

These three action steps are as follows: Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed. This post will give you all the details
on how to make a plan so you and your loved ones can react quickly when a disaster strikes.

GET A KIT:
Learn the essential supplies to put in your family’s survival kit.​
Weather-related disasters can happen at any time, which is why it is important to be prepared ahead of time. Part
of this preparedness includes having a preparedness kit. Find the full list of items to include in your preparedness
kit, HERE.

MAKE A PLAN:
Plan effectively for you and your family in case of an emergency.
1. With your family or household members, discuss how to prepare and respond to the types of
emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.
2. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and how you will work together as a team.
3. Practice as many elements of your plan as possible.

BE INFORMED:
Understand which disasters are likely to occur in your area and what
you must know to stay safe.
 Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster, how you will get information and download
the Red Cross Emergency App.
 Know the difference between different weather alerts such as watches and warnings and what actions to
take in each.
 Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or
have moved recently.
 Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to
use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Find a class, HERE.

Other Preparedness Facts and Tips:

COVID-19
We are going through a challenging time as we navigate the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. COVID-19 is likely to be with us for a long time, therefore we must prepare a little differently for
other disasters that may affect our communities. Learn how to prepare, HERE.

HOME FIRES
Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? Consequently, in case of a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe, HERE.

WILDFIRES
Learn how to keep your family and home safe during a wildfire, HERE.

PREPAREDNESS TRAINING
Virtually Presented During COVID-19. Find a class, HERE.