September is National Preparedness Month and The Nevada Division of Emergency wants to make sure you are prepared for any disaster.
"The best line of defense for a disaster of any kind is to be prepared before it happens," says Jim Walker, Preparedness Manager with the Division.
The first step is to get an evacuation kit ready, fill it with food, water, clothes and any valuables or documents you don't want to lose. "You don't need it under your feet when you walk out the door but in a place that you know and is accessible for when something does happen," says Walker.
Other items include:
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
The division recommends sitting down and writing a list of items you would not want to lose that way you won't forget important items when the time comes to leave. The next step is to sit down with your family and talk about your evacuation plan, such as where to meet and what items to grab from the home. The division recommends going over the evacuation plan and checking your kit every six months to check for expired food or water.
For more information visit: http://dem.nv.gov/preparedness/
