September Is National Preparedness Month
September Is National Preparedness Month September—historically the busiest month for hurricanes and tropical storms—sets the stage for the United States Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Month. Over the course of the month, more than 3,000 organizations, including the
September Is National Preparedness Month
September—historically the busiest month for hurricanes and tropical storms—sets the stage for the United States Department of Homeland Security’s National Preparedness Month. Over the course of the month, more than 3,000 organizations, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Red Cross, will host emergency preparedness events across the country. They are designed to help people from all geographical locations prepare for emergencies—such as natural disasters, mass casualties, biological and chemical threats, radiation emergencies, and terrorist attacks.
Clinicians can partake in the eighth annual celebration by reminding patients to follow four steps for emergency preparedness: get a kit, including fresh water and food; make a plan, detailing with who and where you’ll meet if an emergency occurs; be informed by connecting with media during crises; and get involved through first aid and emergency response training. (Complete preparedness materials for each step are available at http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/.)
This year’s campaign focuses preparedness efforts on: home and family preparedness—paying special attention to older adults, disabled persons, and pets; back-to-school preparedness; and business preparedness. Learn about and incorporate emergency preparedness measures in your practice to ensure that patients and staff are protected should disaster strike.
