Politics & Government
Scott County Tells Shakopee Residents How to be a Hero
September is National Preparedness Month and there are a few things Shakopee residents can do to prepare for an emergency.
During National Preparedness Month, Scott County reminds residents that "anyone can be a hero."
This year marks the tenth annual National Preparedness Month, an effort during the month of September hosted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign.Â
The purpose of the campaign is to encourage "households, businesses, and communities to prepare for emergencies," the Scott County Emergency Management's Office notes in a news release. The theme for this year is "You Can Be the Hero."
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Things you can do today to prepare for an emergency:
Make a plan and build an emergency kit, says FEMA: Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and then make a kit of items you could utilize if your home were without power for up to 72 hours. Ensure your family has a communication plan in place if separated during an emergency. These small things that any person can do could be what saves the day should an actual disaster occur.Regardless of the type of disaster that may strike, making a plan and building an emergency kit are two things that should have a great impact on your ability to withstand the earliest periods of a large emergency, and it's easy to do.
Make a PlanÂ
In Scott County, some of the most likely disasters are tornadoes, ice and winter storms, floods, hazardous material spills, extreme heat and extreme cold. For your plan, try to envision yourself and your loved ones as victims of any of these emergencies. Â
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Once you have identified the potential hazards, ask yourself what you would do. Some examples of questions to ask yourself:Â
- How would you communicate with loved ones who aren’t with you?Â
- Where would you go if you had to leave your home?Â
- Do you store enough non-perishable food items to feed your family for up to 72 hours?Â
- Where would your pets go if your family had to evacuate to a shelter?
- What if the electricity were out for a week or more? Â
By their very nature, emergencies are unplanned events that call for immediate action. Because of this, you should think out your response to a potential emergency in advance.
Build a Kit
Your kit should have items you or your loved ones can utilize during a disaster. Some ideas include non-perishable food such as dried fruit or peanut butter, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a toothbrush and toothpaste, water (at least a gallon per person, per day), flashlights, blankets, and a battery powered radio. For more ideas on what to put in your kit, visit the Ready Campaign website.Hopefully you will never need to utilize your plan or use your kit, but if an emergency strikes, you could be the hero if you follow these simple tips. When it comes to an emergency, there is no such thing as preparing too much, and if you haven’t already done so, National Preparedness Month is a great time to start. Â
~Article from Scott County Sheriff’s Office/Emergency Management
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