Prince William County Government: September Is National Preparedness Month

Press release from Prince William County Government:

Friday, 27 Aug 2021

Natural and manmade disasters can happen anytime or anywhere, and it is good to be prepared for any emergency that might come along.

Natural disasters such as hot spells, cold spells, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, landslides, and earthquakes can all cause severe damage and injury that can be deadly, Manmade disasters including crime, terrorism, and power outages, can be equally as devasting as natural disasters.

September is National Preparedness Month which is aimed at raising awareness of the things people can do to prepare for any disaster that might come along.

Things families can do to prepare for an emergency include assembling preparedness kits containing blankets, extra clothes, batteries, battery or hand-cranked radios, matches, candles, flashlights, first aid kits, sanitation and hygiene products, propane stoves for cooking, non-perishable food for several days and one gallon of water per family member per day. Include medical equipment and medications in your planning for emergencies. Keep cash on hand in case leaving home becomes necessary.

People should know how to get information before, during and after a disaster, according to pwca.gov. Listen to local television or radio for instructions. Register to receive alerts from your local government. Remember that local officials might not be able to respond to everyone right away.

It is impossible to predict when or where a disaster will occur or how severe it will be but preparing for an emergency could ease hardships.

This press release was produced by Prince William County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.