During national emergency preparedness month we are highlighting how to keep your family safe during an emergency.

Do you know what actions to take when you receive a flood watch or warning alert from the National Weather Service? Do you know what to do before, during, and after a flood?

Preparing for an emergency before it happens will not only protect your family, pets, important documents, photos and priceless heirlooms but also ensure a faster recovery. Follow these steps from FEMA:

Store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate.
Know in advance what you will need to take. Take time now to make a list of the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.

Photo by Adam Belles. Creative Commons License 

Fires, tornados, floods, hazardous waste spills and other emergencies can occur with no warning. Do you know how to get in touch with your family if you are not together when an emergency occurs?

Before an emergency happens, have a family discussion to determine who would be your out-of-state point of contact and where you would meet away from your home — both in the neighborhood and within your town.

September is National Preparedness Month and the Ready Campaign is encouraging everyone to learn what protective measures to take before, during, and after an emergency and make a plan.

Here are recommendations from FEMA for basic protective measures for all types of hazards:

• Physical safety is a concern for all hazards and may involve sheltering or evacuating.
• Develop a family communications plan 
• Make an emergency supply kit to be prepared for any type of disaster.
• Learn about receiving emergency alerts and local emergency plans for shelter and evacuation, local emergency contacts, and local advance alerts and warnings.
• When recovering from a disaster, safety as well as mental and physical well-being must be considered.