National Preparedness month

Kathryn Hawley

After a year of presenting each of the monthly 2017 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ National Health Observances, I have decided to instead select only some topics for each monthly observance. However, all observances are important, and each will continue to be displayed on the Nodaway County Health Department website at http://nodawaypublichealth.org/. September’s focus will be on the topic of National Preparedness Month. Planning for emergencies can seem a bit daunting, so try to break it down into three steps.

1) Create a Plan – communicate with your family members and discuss how to reach each other in various situations as the family may not be together when an emergency happens

2) Prepare a kit – organize and get basic supplies and supplies for your vehicle

3) Listen for information – stay in tune with the Internet, TV or radio and have extra batteries for a battery powered radio in case electricity is unavailable

Be knowledgeable of emergency planning for work and for school, keep phone numbers and personal information up to date so lines of communication run smoothly. In addition, it is helpful to go over a checklist for the “just in case” scenarios. Please find more detailed information at the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services’ Emergency Kit Checklist at http://health.mo.gov/emergencies/readyin3/pdf/familyguideenglish.pdf .

Kathryn Hawley, RN & Health Educator, Nodaway County Health Dept.