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.
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.
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.
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.
