THE POWER OF PREP

  September is National Preparedness Month, providing families throughout Riverside County with an important reminder that emergencies rarely arrive with much warning. From wildfires and earthquakes to extreme weather and unexpected power outages, taking a few simple steps now can make a significant difference when everyday routines are suddenly disrupted. Preparedness does not have to be complicated. It begins with making sure every household has essential supplies, a plan for family members and pets, and a reliable way to receive emergency information. One of the most important steps is building an emergency kit. Residents are encouraged to keep water, nonperishable food, flashlights and other essential supplies readily available. Families should consider the individual needs of everyone in the household when assembling supplies rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all kit. Planning for a power outage is another important part of preparation. Households should think ahead about how they would manage without electricity and identify any needs that could become more difficult during an extended outage. This is particularly important when medications, refrigerated items or electrically powered medical devices are involved. Emergency plans should also account for pets. Keeping additional pet food, drinking water and necessary supplies available can prevent families from having to search for those items during an evacuation or other emergency. Including pets in household planning from the beginning can make responding to an unexpected situation considerably easier. Another critical part of preparedness is knowing how to receive reliable information when conditions change. Riverside County residents can sign up for RiversideAlert, the emergency notification system used to provide important warnings and information during emergencies. Residents can learn more and register through RiversideAlert. National Preparedness Month also offers families an opportunity to talk about what they would do if they could not immediately return home. Household members can discuss where they would meet, how they would communicate and who might need additional assistance. Even a short family conversation can eliminate confusion during a stressful situation. For Inland Empire communities, preparedness is particularly valuable because different emergencies can require very different responses. Some situations may require residents to remain safely at home, while others may require an evacuation. Having supplies ready and a household plan in place allows families to respond more quickly when official instructions are issued. Preparedness is ultimately about giving families more options when circumstances are uncertain. A stocked emergency kit, a plan for medications and pets, and access to official alerts may seem like small preparations on an ordinary September afternoon. During an actual emergency, however, those preparations can become invaluable. This National Preparedness Month, the message for Riverside County residents is simple: do not wait for the unexpected to happen before getting ready. A little preparation today can help protect the people, pets and possessions that matter most tomorrow.