Four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, and rainbows won’t help you prepare for disasters this St. Patrick’s Day.
As Spring approaches, so do hurricane and wildfire seasons, along with an increased threat of tornadoes and flooding. It’s important to do everything you can not to leave disaster preparedness to chance. Although we can’t control when or where disasters happen, we can take the luck out of preparing for them.
The “It’s Not Luck” page on Ready.gov has helpful St. Patrick ‘s-themed tips and a social media toolkit with graphics that you can use to help spread the message of disaster preparedness. Throughout the week, be sure to use the hashtag #ItsNotLuck as you highlight any Irish-specific preparedness tips.
Here are some ways you can leave the luck behind and prepare for disasters:
Know Your Risk
To make sure you’ll be notified about disasters and emergencies in your area, it’s a good idea to have several ways to receive emergency alerts. Download the FEMA App to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Don’t forget to use the app to sign up for community alerts in your area.
Make a Plan
Knowing what to do during an emergency can help you respond faster and better when it matters most. Making a plan with your family can make a big difference in your response.
Be sure to keep the needs of every family member in mind when making a plan, including the needs of your pets.
Build a Kit
You may need to evacuate quickly or shelter for long periods of time during a disaster. Having supplies you need during these moments will mean you have less to worry about.
The kit you build should include items such as:
- Several days’ supply of food and water.
- Flashlight and batteries.
- First aid kit.
- Pet food and extra water for your pet.
- Necessary medications.
Don’t leave preparing for disasters to luck! Visit Ready.gov for more tips on how to prepare. For other holiday-theme preparedness campaigns throughout 2024, visit Ready.gov/calendar.
