Q: What advice does BBB offer for families as they prepare in advance for emergency situations?
A: September is National Preparedness Month and what better time to ensure your family’s emergency readiness than with a month dedicated to your safety. Considering the storm and tornado activity in our communities this year, vividly make this point. Knowing what to do before, during and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when the seconds start to count. Better Business Bureau urges families to devise and discuss their disaster plans with their loved ones.
Safety is paramount in an emergency, but basic protective actions – for instance, whether to evacuate or shelter-in-place – can differ depending upon the disaster. There are important differences among potential emergencies that should influence the decisions you make and the actions you take.
Families should familiarize themselves with website of FEMA, www.FEMA.gov the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It outlines the emergencies that could potentially occur where you live and offers the appropriate ways to respond to each.
Two things every family requires no matter what the disaster, whether a natural disaster or terrorism, are an emergency plan and an emergency kit.