Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Did you know September is National Preparedness Month?
Ironically, it was designated long before Hurricane Katrina to encourage Americans to consider their personal state of preparedness. Locally, a focus is on a 12 point preparedness program* – one all Utahns ought to contemplate with the benefit of the hindsight offered by Katrina:
1. Have an emergency plan.
2. Get an emergency 72 hour kit.
3. Have emergency food supplies. Water is essential.
4. Prepare to shelter in place if possible.
5. Know your home, for example, how to shut off natural gas lines.
6. Take inventory. What would you take with you if you had only moments to evacuate?
7. Equip your car. A gas tank always more than half-full would be wise.
8. Prepare to go powerless. Consider the challenge of no electricity.
9. Plan for pets.
10. Figure financial contingencies.
11. Remember your health. What medications will be needed?
12. Remember those with special needs.
KSL believes it is vital to be properly prepared for the possibility of sudden natural disasters. At some point Mother Nature will have her way! Utahns learned that earlier this year in St. George, then came Katrina’s stunning reminder! Who knows, an earthquake may be just around the corner.
*Building Disaster-Resilient Communities: A 12 Point Program for Individual, Family & Community Preparedness By Al Cooper
