County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:

September 9, 2014

 

Make a plan. Get a kit. Be prepared.

September is National Preparedness Month

 

FREEHOLD, NJ – September is National Preparedness Month and Monmouth County officials are urging families to make a plan, get a kit and be prepared for emergencies. Emergency kit.

 

“When we talk about preparing for emergencies, we are talking about everything from a short power outage to a fire to a massive storm,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “It is important for families to identify what emergencies may affect their home and create a plan for each one.”

 

The website ready.gov suggests some basic steps to make sure you remain safe:

·            Meet with your family or household members.

·            Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play.

·            Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.

·            If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.

 

“Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do if you are separated at the time of the emergency,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso, liaison to the County’s Office of Emergency Management. “Choose two places to meet: one that is outside of your home in the case of a sudden emergency such as a fire and one that is outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or need to evacuate.”

 

“The preparations you make with your family before an emergency hits can save your lives,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “Make a plan and get an emergency kit ready now so you know you will be prepared when and if the need arises.”

 

At a minimum, the following items should be in your emergency kit:

  • Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
  • Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Emergency blanket
  • Map(s) of the area

 

“Ready.gov offers resources to help the entire family prepare for emergencies,” said DiMaso. “There is even a Family Communications Plan worksheet you can print out and fill in together to get the whole family involved in making an emergency plan.”

 

For more information, contact the County OEM at 732-431-7400 or log onto the County website at www.visitmonmouth.com.

 

 

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