September is National Preparedness Month

September 02, 2016

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Wildfires in the West

Heavy Rain and Flooding in Louisiana and bordering states

Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes across the Midwest

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes moving towards Hawaii and the Gulf Coast

 

All of these extreme weather situations have occurred over the past few weeks and serve as an important reminder that emergency preparedness is critical to keep individuals, families, and communities safe.

National Preparedness Month launched this week and this year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

Child care providers play a vital role in emergency preparedness. Providers can take time this month to reflect on current practices, review emergency policies and procedures, practice drills (ask a parent, friend, CCR&R consultant, or emergency response official from your community to observe the drill and offer constructive feedback), update your emergency contact information for each enrolled child, restock your emergency supply kits, and talk with child care families about your plans for evacuation, lock downs, and sheltering in place.

Throughout September, Child Care Aware® of America’s Emergency Preparedness Team will be promoting ideas for individual and child care program emergency preparedness through social media, blog posts, and on the website www.childcareprepare.org, as well as showcasing a variety of efforts that are happening throughout the nation. Share your preparedness efforts this month with us through pictures and stories by e-mail at: preparedness@usa.childcareaware.org.

National Preparedness Month Weekly Themes

August 28 - September 3: Kickoff to National Preparedness Month

September 4 - 10: Preparing Family and Friends

Take time to review how you will contact child care families before, during, and after an emergency. Consider that families may not be together during a disaster. Make a plan of how you will reunite children with family members after an emergency. Prepare for the unique needs of each child in your care.

September 11 - 17: Preparing Through Service

On September 11, make a special effort to do a good deed for someone else, in honor of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 for the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

This week, celebrate first responders in your community by having child care children make a special card or bringing treats to your local responders or emergency-focused organizations serving your community.

September 18 - 24: Individual Preparedness

Understand safety tips and protective actions you can take before or during a disaster.

September 25 - 30: Lead up to National Prepare-A-thon! Day

September 30:  Prepare-A-thon! Day

The Prepare-A-thon is a nationwide, community-based campaign for action to increase emergency preparedness and resilience. Prepare-A-thon messages will focus on specific hazards this fall, including winter weather, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and flooding.

 

Kansas City, Mo. -- Science City Educator Heather Edvenson, gives Anna Thompson of Leavenworth, Kan., a book, as a prize for participating in their Shakeout earthquake drill at Science City (inside Union Station), Sat., Aug. 22, 2015. The drill was part of an America's PrepareAthon event. FEMA photo Amanda Bicknell Kansas City, Mo. -- Science City Educator Heather Edvenson, gives Anna Thompson of Leavenworth, Kan., a book, as a prize for participating in their Shakeout earthquake drill at Science City (inside Union Station), Sat., Aug. 22, 2015. The drill was part of an America's PrepareAthon event. FEMA photo Amanda Bicknell
 
 
 

Explore emergency preparedness resources.

Topics: Systems Building, Best Practices, Health & Safety, emergency preparedness

Holly Nett

Written by Holly Nett

Holly Nett serves as the Director of Child Care Emergency Partnerships and has been with Child Care Aware® of America for the past seven years. She has a primary focus on bridging the gap between the emergency preparedness, response, and recovery industry and child care programs. She also develops and delivers emergency preparedness training and technical assistance focused on business continuity, disaster plan development, and helping children and caregivers deal with the social/emotional aftermath of a disaster to Child Care Resource & Referral teams and child care program staff across the nation.