As we learned over the past year and a half, life can be full of surprises. And if you’ve lived in Colorado for any length of time, we don’t need a pandemic to be thrown a nasty curve, we have the weather to keep us on our toes. Especially during the fall and spring, it can be warm and sunny one day and cold and blustery the next, and winter can bring extended closures and outages.
Fortunately, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has a program to help you prepare for weather related events, both predictable and surprising. It’s called National Preparedness Month and September is when it happens.
Learn Something New Every Week
Each week of the month is devoted to a specific topic and has easy to follow recommendations to stay ahead of potential trouble. Click this link for details on each topic as well as links to multiple additional resources.
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Week 1: Sept 1-4 |
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Make a Plan Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. |
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Week 2: Sept 5-11 |
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Build a Kit Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. |
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Week 3: Sept 12-18 |
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Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards. Check your insurance coverage to make sure it is up-to-date. |
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Week 4: Sept 19-25 |
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Teach Youth About Preparedness Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved. |
And at least for the foreseeable future, you should update your plans based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.
Preparedness Makes Perfect
Severe weather is a concern year-round, but it can be especially dangerous in Colorado’s winters. Heavy snowfall can disrupt power, damage property, and make roads impassable. Do you know how to keep warm and nourished during a prolonged emergency? Can you provide lifesaving medical care like CPR and first aid if help can’t get through? It’s important to know how to react in advance to help your family and your community.
Each area of the country has its own challenges disaster-wise. In Colorado those typically come from severe weather. High winds, tornados, wildfires, floods, and heavy snow and ice are seasonal concerns. Having a disaster plan, sharing it with your family, and practicing it will help you cope when an emergency occurs. And don’t forget adequate insurance coverage and emergency funds to get you through the aftermath.
Power Through Trouble with a Backup Plan
We can forget how dependent we are on electricity…until it goes out. Be sure to have adequate battery-powered devices like flashlights and radios for emergency information. Cell phones only work when their batteries are charged, so look into a portable recharger that doesn’t rely on external power. If you experience frequent or prolonged power outages, explore backup electricity sources. Backup batteries can provide some power for a while, but you may want to consider backup generators instead. Take the time to learn the options and pick the best solution for you. A licensed electrical professional can help you choose.
Act Now for Peace of Mind
Knowing you’re prepared for whatever nature throws your way lets you face emergencies with a clear mind and the resources to handle life’s curveballs. National Preparedness Month is a great opportunity make the plans and gather the resources you’ll need.
Disaster preparedness is a year-round job and electrical readiness plays a huge part. Allstar Electrical Services offers auxiliary power solutions as well as rapid response radio-dispatched emergency services 24/7. Call (303) 399-7420 or visit our website. We’ve served the Front Range for over 20 years, are top-rated by the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List and are proud to be listed as a preferred contractor by Home Advisor.