September Is National Preparedness Month

By JULIE HOLLEY Special to the Blade-News

September is National Preparedness Month. The nationwide initiative, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, encourages Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies since they often occur without warning.

Bowie Civil Air Patrol is offering advice on various disaster preparedness topics each week of the month, as a service to Bowie residents. This week, we focus on preparing an emergency kit.

Given our recent brush with Tropical Storm Hanna, some of us may have a few of the recommended emergency materials in our homes such as batteries, flashlights and extra food. However, experts say that most Americans only have a few of the recommended items on hand.

"A good number of people have some preparation made but they don't have a full kit or they don't have a centralized place where they are keeping everything," said Bowie Squadron Homeland Security Officer, 2nd Lt. Albert Redd Jr.

Keep your kit in an easy to find location within your home. Items should be placed in a bag or carrying case so they can be picked up and transported easily in the event of an evacuation. Redd also suggests creating smaller versions of your kit to keep at work and in your car.

"You really want to have access to some of the essential items regardless of where you are whether it's at home, work or in your automobile," he said. Redd points to the recent closures of the Bay Bridge where drivers were delayed for hours without access to food, water or medications.

If you have a fully prepared disaster kit, you need to remember to fine-tune it. This includes making sure water, food, batteries and medical supplies are still within their freshness dates. Redd suggests reviewing the items in the kit at least every six months.

If you have pets, it is important to include them in your emergency planning. In addition to keeping their food and medication in your kit, Redd suggests keeping copies of your pet's health records in case you are asked for proof of their vaccinations.

Those with elderly family members or relatives with special needs should take extra precautions when planning for emergencies. Important items to include are extra medications, walkers, wheelchairs and other needed medical equipment.

In addition, Redd suggests digitizing mortgage and insurance information and other important documents. The materials should be scanned and placed on a portable storage device in your emergency kit.

Redd said the most important step we can take is to not allow ourselves to get complacent. "Folks should try to resist the tendency to relax themselves and think this is just hype. It is prudent for everyone to err on the side of caution and to maintain their kits," he said.

Disasters are usually unexpected and include more than terrorism and weather-related events. Examples include extended power outages, flooding, water main breaks and major road closures. Anything that keeps you from getting home or staying in your home can turn into a disaster.

For a complete list of items that should be included in your emergency kit, visit the homeland security section of the Bowie CAP Web site at www.bowiecap.org. If you or your child, 12 years or older, are interested in joining CAP, call 301-805-8200.

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The writer is a first lieutenant with the Civil Air Patrol, Bowie Composite Squadron.