Third annual effort happening this September

National Preparedness Month

Being prepared is more than the Boy Scout motto, it's always a good idea when it comes to emergencies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is once again sponsoring National Preparedness Month this September to increase public awareness and to help people be better prepared for a variety of "what if?" scenarios.

Here are a few preparation tips from the National Preparedness Month Coalition that you can share with your student and other family/friends:

Get a Kit: Gather supplies such as water, food, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and a first aid kit that will allow you to survive for at least three days in an emergency.

Make a Plan: Plan now for what you will do in an emergency. How will you communicate? Will you shelter in or evacuate?

Be Informed: What specific threats could impact your community, from natural disasters to potential terrorist threats? And how should you respond? Learn about the emergency plans already established for your area at www.ready.gov so you have a place to start.

Get Involved: Consider being trained in first aid and emergency response, and getting involved in preparing your community for emergencies. You can learn more through the Citizen Corps at www.citizencorps.gov.

At www.ready.gov, you can find a list of supplies for emergency kits, info and templates to create an emergency plan, and more.

Source: www.ready.gov/america/npm/

Campus Specific

Most campuses have a crisis response plan in place. Encourage your student to talk with residence life staff and others about what they should do in case of emergency.