National Preparedness Month
This September, in celebration of National Preparedness Month the Red Cross encourages all Americans to assess and prepare for their local disaster risks. It's time to make or update your family disaster plan and your Red Cross chapter is ready to help.
"Just like no coach would bring a team onto a field without a game plan, every family needs a game plan for emergencies. When disaster strikes, it’s too late," says Russ Paulsen, Red Cross Executive Director of Community Preparedness and Resilience.
- A meeting place right outside the home in case of a sudden emergency like a fire
- A location where everyone should meet if they can't go home
- An out-of-area contact who can help connect separated family members
Plans should include:
All members of the household should work together on the emergency plan and each person should know how to reach other family members.
Tools to help you make or update family plans:
- The Hurricane App for iPhone and Android smart phones helps people create a plan and share it with household members and over social networks.
- A Family Disaster Plan Template in (English and Spanish) may be downloaded, completed and shared with household members. This PDF document may be saved and updated.
- Get guidance on making a plan from our Be Red Cross Ready resources.
- Information about what to do before, during and after emergencies and disasters
- Check with your local chapter for local information, training and events around National Preparedness Month.
Preparedness Tools
Be Prepared!
Get our Free Apps
Download the Hurricane App to prepare yourself and your family for a hurricane today!
The First Aid App gives you instant information to handle the most common first aid emergencies.
Be Red Cross Ready
Make a plan. Our editable Family Disaster Plan Template (in English and Spanish) and instructions (English and Spanish) can help you create, save and update your family plan.