Can your finances weather an emergency?

The final week of National Preparedness Month (NPM) 2018 begins on Sunday, September 23. Each week NPM focuses on a different action.

The theme for September 23-30 is, “Save For an Emergency.” 40 percent of all Americans do not have $400 in savings according to the Federal Reserve . Become financially prepared for an emergency by following these steps from the Ready Campaign:

• Plan financially  for the possibility of disaster.
• Complete an  Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) .
• Maintain  emergency savings  for use in case of an emergency.

Take action to prepare this September! You can find resources, including the NPM social media toolkit, at www.ready.gov/september .

After a hurricane, it is important to know how to clean up safely.

Listen to local authorities to determine when it is safe for you to return home. Do not return home until local officials indicate it is safe to do so. Stay vigilant and monitor radio or TV stations for local emergency management officials' guidance.

Ensure water is safe to drink, cook, or clean with after flooding. Often local officials put a boil water order in place following a flood or hurricane.

Remember, never run a generator inside your home, and keep it away from windows, doors, and vents.

Tips from FEMA for clean-up after returning home:

• Always wear protective clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants, rubber or plastic gloves and waterproof boots or shoes.
• Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines, and other exterior damage.
• Take photos of your damage before you begin to clean up and save repair receipts.
• Get rid of mold . Mold may have contaminated your home, which raises the health risk for those with asthma, allergies, and breathing conditions.
• Open doors and windows so your house can air out before spending any length of time inside.
• Turn off main electrical power and water systems and do not use gas appliances until a professional can ensure they are safe.
• Check all ceilings and floors for signs of sagging or other potentially dangerous structural damage.
• Throw out all foods, beverages, and medicines exposed to flood waters or mud, including canned goods and containers with food or liquid.
• Throw out any items that absorb water and you cannot clean or disinfect (i.e. mattresses, carpeting, stuffed animals, etc.).
• Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.
• Remove all drywall and insulation that has been in contact with floodwaters.
• Clean all hard surfaces (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, etc.) thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent.

To learn more about what to do after a flood or a hurricane, visit Ready.gov/floods , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Flood Water After an Emergency or Disaster .

If you experienced a flood or other damages due to recent hurricane activity, please visit www.disasterassistance.gov to register for federal assistance. 

Teach emergency preparedness in your grade school with Student Tools for Emergency Planning (STEP).

STEP provides a ready-to-teach classroom-based course for fourth- and fifth-graders. The students will study disasters. They will learn how to build a supply kit and how to create a family emergency communication plan . 

STEP materials include:

• STEP Overview
• Instructor Guide
• Student Activity Book
• Disaster Dodgers Video Series

You can order the STEP materials for free. Visit Ready.gov/Youth-Preparedness to learn more.