If a disaster strikes, how will you and your family be ready? During the month of September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Ready.gov teams are focusing on planning and preparing for disasters during National Preparedness Month. 

This month, DHS is asking you to “Pledge to Prepare.” Visit ready.gov/prepare to see simple steps you can take, such as keeping an emergency kit in your office and at home and keeping copies of important family documents in a safe place.

Being prepared means having a plan. Whether you are at home, at work or on-the-go, it’s important to create a plan in case of an emergency. Planning ahead will ensure that you and your family will know what to do and have the supplies you need to be safe wherever you are. In your home? Think ahead with your Family Emergency Plan. At work or school? Ensure you and your family are informed about hazards in your surrounding area and know the best ways to contact one another if you are separated during a disaster.

We have already seen a number of disasters this year, including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and most recently, Hurricane Isaac. When an emergency strikes your area, knowing what to do before, during and after may make all the difference when seconds count.

Watch the video of myself and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate asking for your help in keeping each other safe, and then head to Ready.gov to take the pledge today.