To help mark National Preparedness Month in September, the Postal Service is reminding employees that small steps can make a big difference in being prepared.
Here are some tips:
• Know your risks. Identify potential challenges such as natural disasters, power outages or health emergencies — and plan accordingly.
• Decide how you will respond to an emergency. Where will you go if you need to evacuate? How will you shelter in place? How will you contact your family and reconnect if separated? Begin to answer these questions with your family, friends and household.
• Stay informed. Sign up to receive emergency alerts.
• Create a family emergency plan. Use this plan to prepare for evacuation or sheltering in place. Practice your plan with your household.
• Make sure you can stay in touch. Confirm mobile phone numbers and plan for charging capabilities.
• Build an emergency supply kit. Your kit should include all the essentials you and your family might need in the event of immediate evacuation. Make sure you have enough food, water and medicine to stay safe and comfortable until help arrives. Don’t forget to plan for your pets.
• Be ready to move. Keep your gas tanks filled and cash available. Safeguard important documents and medical information in a waterproof, portable container.
The Postal Service’s Personal Preparedness Blue page and the Ready.gov website have more information.
