May 16

September 1

In August, Pennsylvania and the rest of the east coast felt the effects of Hurricane Irene and a 5.8 magnitude earthquake - both in the same week. What if the hurricane had been as bad as Hurricane Agnes, which devastated Pennsylvania in 1972? What if the earthquake actually occurred somewhere in Pennsylvania and was as catastrophic as the one that rocked Japan earlier this year? Would you and your loved ones have known what to do before, during and after each of these events?

We should all be prepared to make it on our own for at least three days during any emergency by following these three easy steps:

1. Get a Kit: Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and your loved ones - things like bottled water, foods that won't spoil, a first aid kit, extra medicines, flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
2. Make a Plan: Work together with loved ones, trusted neighbors, co-workers and others on an emergency plan.
3. Be Informed: Learn about the disasters that are most likely to occur in Pennsylvania, how to prepare for them, and what to do if disaster strikes your area.

Visit www.ReadyPA.org for sample kits, plans and other preparedness information.

September 2

Teach your children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for help. Post these and other emergency telephone numbers by every telephone in your home. Visit www.Ready.gov/kids for fun emergency preparedness information for children.

September 3

Take a moment to imagine that there is an emergency, like a fire in your home, and that you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your home? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now, write it down - you've got the beginning of your family's emergency plan. Visit www.ReadyPA.org for templates you can use to create an emergency plan for you and your loved ones.

September 4

In some emergencies you may be required to turn off your utilities. To prepare for this type of event:

• Locate the electric, gas and water shut-off valves.
• Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.
• Teach adult family members how to turn off utilities.

If you turn off the gas, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.

For more emergency preparedness information, visit www.ReadyPA.org.

September 5

Read Pennsylvania's Emergency Preparedness Guide, print it out and keep a copy in your emergency supply kit. The guide has information on the top 10 emergencies that can happen in Pennsylvania, as well as what you need to do before and after disaster strikes. It contains: supply checklists for your home, car and workplace; information for those with special needs (including older Pennsylvanians, people with special medical needs, children and pets, service animals and livestock); phone numbers for Emergency Management Agencies and Department of Health offices in your area; and an emergency plan that you can use to fill in all of your important information (including wallet-sized cut-out cards). Visit www.ReadyPA.org for more information.

September 6

You should identify different locations where you can meet loved ones after a disaster strikes. Start with at least two. Choose one right outside your home in case of a sudden household emergency, such as a fire. The second place you choose needs to be outside your neighborhood, in case it is not safe for you to return to your home. For more information on making an emergency plan for your family, visit www.ReadyPA.org.

September 7

For many of us, our pets are part of our family. However, most emergency shelters will not allow your pets to stay with you because of health regulations. Find out ahead of time how to care for your pets when disaster strikes. Animals should never be left behind. Instead, make arrangements ahead of time to take them to a veterinary office, family member's home or animal shelter during an emergency. Also be sure to keep extra items for your pets like food, water and medicines, as well as pet photos you can use to help identify them later. For more information, visit the Pets, Service Animals and Livestock section on www.readypa.org.

September 8

Choose an emergency contact person outside your area, because it may be easier to call long distance than locally after a disaster. Take a minute now to call or email an out-of-town friend or family member to ask him or her to be your family's contact in the event of an emergency. Be sure to share the contact's phone number with your loved ones. During an emergency, your out-of-town contact will be able to tell your loved ones and friends where you are, how you are doing and how to reach you. Go to www.ReadyPA.org to fill out an emergency contact card for each member of your family.

September 9

Check your child's school website or call the school office to request a copy of the school's emergency plan. Keep a copy at home, work or other places where you spend a lot of your time and make sure the school's plan is part of your family's emergency plan. Also, learn about the disaster plans at your workplace or other places where you and your family regularly spend time. Go to www.ReadyPA.org now for more tips and information that will help you make your emergency plan.

September 10

Go through your calendar now and put a reminder on it for every six months to review your emergency plan, update numbers and check supplies in your emergency kit to be sure nothing has expired, spoiled or changed. Also remember to practice your emergency plan. Learn more at www.ReadyPA.org.

September 11

Complete an emergency contact card and make copies for each member of your family to carry with them. Be sure to include an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to reach someone outside your area if local phone lines are down. You should also have at least one wired landline phone, as cordless or cellular phones may not work in an emergency. Visit www.readypa.org to complete an emergency contact card for each member of your family.

September 12

A community working together during an emergency makes sense. Whether it's providing medical care, helping to clean up and rebuild, or just being there to listen to someone who needs to talk - volunteers are the foundation of their communities. Individuals of all backgrounds, professions and levels of expertise can help their community during emergencies by signing up ahead of time as a volunteer through SERVPA, the state emergency registry of volunteers in Pennsylvania. There are no training, educational or professional requirements, and there is no obligation to respond to an emergency if called. Visit www.serv.pa.gov to sign up or learn more.

September 13

Conduct fire drills and practice evacuating your home at least twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and find other routes on a map in case main roads are blocked or have traffic jams. Practice earthquake and tornado drills at home, school and work. Find time to update telephone numbers, emergency supplies and review your plan with everyone. Learn more about disaster preparedness in Pennsylvania at www.ReadyPA.org.

September 14

What if disaster strikes while you're at work? Do you know the emergency preparedness plan for your workplace? While many companies have been more alert and proactive in preparing for disasters of all types since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a national survey indicates that many employees still don't know what their workplace plan is for major or minor disasters. If you don't know yours, make a point to ask. Know multiple ways to exit your building, participate in workplace evacuation drills and consider keeping some emergency supplies at the office. Visit www.readypa.org and click on Make a Plan for more information about business preparedness.

September 15

You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation.

The basics to stock in your portable kit include:

• Enough bottled water for each person per day;
• Food that won't spoil;
• Battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries;
• First aid supplies;
• Change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag;
• Wrench or pliers;
• Whistle;
• Dust mask;
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape;
• Trash bags;
• Map;
• A manual (non-electric) can opener for canned food; and
• Special items for infants and children, older Pennsylvanians and those with special medical needs.

Keep these items in an easy-to-carry container, such as a covered trash container, a large backpack or a duffle bag. Visit www.ReadyPA.org for a complete list of recommended emergency kit supplies.