With a new year comes New Year’s resolutions. The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department’s Threat Preparedness section and ready.gov have a suggestion: Resolve to be ready for 2025!
Ring in the new year knowing you and your loved ones are prepared and safe if a disaster strikes with these tips from ready.gov.
- Give back for when it’s needed the most: Use the Disaster Preparedness Guide for Caregivers or Disaster Preparedness Guide for Older Adults, available on ready.gov, to take care of our community’s most vulnerable.
- An emergency savings fund and a weeks’ worth of pantry staples are critical needs for winter storm preparedness. Start saving now for the year ahead.
- Make an emergency plan: Choose a safe place to meet, learn evacuation routes, and establish an out-of-town contact that all of your family knows about.
- Set up group text lists so you can communicate with friends and family during emergencies.
- Get to know your neighbor and invite them to be a part of your emergency plan.
- Sign up for alerts and warnings. Download the FEMA app to get real-time alerts, safety tips, and locate open shelters.
- Take a class in CPR, first aid and Stop the Bleed.
- Snap photos of important documents as well as property and save them in a secure place or online.
- Have back-up power sources available to charge devices in case of a power outage.
- Check your insurance for coverage on disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
- Spend within your means. Use a personal budgeting worksheet or app to help plan for holiday expenses, emergencies and beyond.
- Build up your savings. Get into the habit of adding to your savings account the first of every month beginning January 1.