If you’re like most people, the circumstances of your life require that you look ahead and plan for your future, particularly for the unexpected. But — like most people, too — it’s often difficult to do this because day-to-day obligations take top priority and demand your immediate attention. Wouldn’t it be great if a particular time of year could be dedicated to such planning? Since September is National Preparedness Month, it offers the perfect opportunity to plan for emergencies.
Say a tornado hits the area. Power lines are down. Your phone doesn’t work. Your water may not be safe to drink. What do you do? In the words of www.ready.gov, “Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed."
Get a kit
Have enough supplies on hand to last you three days or more. Food, water, a flashlight, batteries, first-aid kit and other basic emergency items should make up your kit. For ideas on how to create your own kit, or purchase a ready-made kit, visit http://www.ready.gov/.
Make a plan
When disaster strikes, it may happen while you’re at work, your spouse is out of town and your kids are at school. So, how do you connect? Make a plan. Decide how you will get in touch with each other, reconnect and what steps to take in the meantime.
Be informed
Do research in advance. Collect phone numbers and website information of government agencies, emergency responders and other community contacts that can help during an emergency. Do the information gathering on the front-end to make sure you are better prepared when disaster strikes.
At LG&E/KU, our employees are often among the first responders after a natural disaster. We always encourage our customers to be prepared for an emergency situation and put safety first. So, this September, consider developing an emergency plan with your family, or if you already have one, go through a drill to test your preparedness. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/.
