September is National Preparedness Month: Week 5
Week 5 (September 27 – 30) of National Preparedness Month (NPM) gets communities ready for National PrepareAthon! Day. On Wednesday, September 30, 2015, join the nation in moving from awareness to action as communities prepare for hazards that impact their areas the most.
We encourage everyone to participate in this national effort to prepare for disasters. There are many activities happening around the country in which you can participate. Find them using the advanced search or in the activities list on the America's PrepareAthon! website. You can also plan your own activity using ideas from the 10 Ways to Participate in America's PrepareAthon! infographic.
As you complete an activity, be sure to add it to the website to be counted as one of the millions of preparedness actions people are taking in support of the campaign. You can also choose to be publicly recognized on the website as an America's PrepareAthon! campaign supporter when you add your activity.
The theme for NPM 2015 is Don't Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today . Create your plan by completing the all-new Family Emergency Communication Plan from America's PrepareAthon! Handy wallet cards are also available so your family can have important contact information while on the go.
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Eating Right During a Power Outage
Preparing for severe weather also includes planning ahead for power outages. When refrigeration and electricity are unavailable, finding creative ways to feed a family can be challenging, so it's important to have a plan to ensure proper nutrition.
To help with planning, Mayo Clinic nutritionists created a grocery list of items to keep in your pantry as you prepare for disasters. They have also organized a three-day meal plan for a family of four. Recipes in the plan do not require the use of power or refrigeration, but are still flavorful and fun to make.
Food safety and nutrition are critical to staying healthy during a disaster. The Mayo Clinic offers these tips for preparing your pantry and planning an emergency menu:
- Know the safe temperature zones of perishable food . When the power goes out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold. The refrigerator, if unopened, will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will maintain its temperature for around 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed;
- Stock up on condiments, particularly those that are vinegar-based, such as ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, and BBQ sauce. These items have a long shelf life and are versatile. Consider travel-sized packets for convenience;
- Keep canned protein on hand (chicken, salmon, beans, and peanut butter);
- Keep boxes of powdered milk or shelf-stable cartons on hand for cereal or deserts; and
- Don't forget a manual can opener.
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Coming Soon: The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill
Get ready! The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill is coming Thursday, October 15, 2015. Join millions of people worldwide as they practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” for earthquake safety at 10:15 AM local time.
Federal, state, and local emergency management and preparedness experts agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the best action to take to reduce injury and death during an earthquake. You could be anywhere when a tremor strikes, so individuals, families, schools, and organizations are encouraged to participate. Register today and be counted in the world's largest earthquake drill. If you can't participate on October 15, you can hold your own Great ShakeOut drill within two weeks from the official day of action.
Got questions about the Great ShakeOut? Get answers in the list of frequently asked questions . You can also learn more about earthquake safety in this animated video from America's PrepareAthon! and public service announcement from the Ready Campaign .
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New Game from the Koshland Science Museum
Looking for a fun way to get prepared? The second edition of the Koshland Science Museum's Extreme Event interactive game is now available. Extreme Event: River City uses the same core elements of Extreme Event: Coastal City, while featuring a new storyline, a new disaster type, and enhanced challenges. Both games are geared toward community groups and schools, and give players a taste of what it takes to build community resilience in the face of disaster.
Extreme Event: River City features a mid-sized community built near two converging rivers and is surrounded by farmland. As a series of storms hit the city, the rivers start to flood. Players must respond to the immediate flooding threat and prioritize long-term recovery efforts.
Get in the game! Download Extreme Event: River City for free or register to join the Koshland Science Museum in Washington, DC for an interactive game night on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 6:30 PM ET.
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Dates for Your Calendar!
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