September is National Preparedness Month. It was founded three years after the 9/11 disaster. September was also chosen because it is the height of the hurricane season in the United States. You may not live in an area that experiences hurricanes, but anywhere can experience some kind of disaster. Having a plan for these situations can help you better survive them. I am not talking about prepping for the end of the world, but there is common sense in planning for disasters or challenges that we may face in our lives.
Let’s look at just some things that have happened in 2020: Hurricane season, wildfires in the western United States, the Midwest derecho which hit Iowa, United States civil unrest, Midland, Michigan dam breaches, and finally COVID-19. This year has already provided several examples of why we should be prepared.
“Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.”
By Maya Angelou
I try to plan much of my life around this saying. Often times when we plan for the worst it never happens, BUT if it does, we are prepared. By being prepared, we are better able to survive the situation.
There are websites that provide tools for being prepared for these situations. One such website is www.ready.gov/september . The theme for the year is “Disasters Don’t Wait, Make Your Plan Today.” The month has been divided up by weeks for four different action plans you can take to prepare your family.
- Week 1: Make a Plan
- Week 2: Build a Kit
- Week 3: Prepare for Disasters
- Week 4: Teach Youth About Preparedness
The site provides tools for completing each week’s action plan. Every family’s plan will be different, so it is important to take the time to personalize your plan. Here in Minnesota, it is extremely important to have a plan if your car breaks down during a very cold spell, but this would not be at all relevant for anywhere that doesn’t get our bitter cold.
Now having a plan doesn’t imply that you have to delve into prepping for the end of the world because who really wants to be around if all the doomsday predictions do come true? Not me! As with everything in life, balance is important. The Red Cross suggests that every family have a “3-day supply for evacuation, and a 2-week supply for staying home.” I wonder how many families in the United States have a supply of food and necessities for a 2-week stay at home? I think we all learned the importance of being prepared when the “stay at home” policies went into effect for COVID. Fortunately, shopping for food and supplies was permitted, but in a disaster would stores be open?
A website I found helpful is www.theprepared.com. Yes, it has a lot of long-term prepping stuff, but it has a lot of basic information for preparing for short-term disasters that can be helpful. For example, if there was a fire in your area, would you be prepared to grab the basic essentials you would need to get out? I don’t think that I am that prepared for this because we don’t live in an area that is prone to fires but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
The past few months, we have taken steps to become a bit more prepared for disasters that may hit our area. I encourage you to do the same. As I share with clients, making even small steps in the right direction keeps you on the path to better health and wellness; being prepared for these types of situations is an investment in your wellness also. It can give you peace of mind that you are prepared. Often none of these situations ever happen, but just like having insurance for your car or home, having a plan for these situations provides a better outcome in the end.
Do you have a plan for disasters that may hit your area? Will you make a plan this September? Will you encourage your friends and family to do the same?
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Heather