Are You Prepared for a Natural or Manmade Disaster?
September is Emergency Preparedness Month
Hurricane season is upon us, and this Emergency Preparedness Month, Atrium Health Navicent reminds the community to be prepared year-round for both natural and manmade disasters.
Steve Ramsey, Safety, Emergency Management and Physical Environment Manager for Atrium Health Navicent offers the following tips to ensure you and your family are prepared:
Create a communication plan with your family, physically listing all emergency and family phone numbers with pen and paper.
Show your family members how to shut off your home's utilities safely.
Make sure at least one family member knows how to administer CPR.
Keep an emergency First Aid kit in your car and in your home.
Store enough food, water and medications to last for 72 hours. Remember the same for pets.
Store all important documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies, in a weather-resistant case, fire-proof safe or a safety deposit box.
Stock up on personal hygiene items, toiletries, clothing and blankets. Include face masks for each family member, and hand sanitizer.
Withdraw cash from your bank or ATM and keep on hand.
Consider that your family and pets may not be together during a disaster - make a plan of how you will reunite after an emergency.
"Disasters and weather events are often unexpected. September is officially recognized as National Preparedness Month, and although we've already entered an active hurricane season, it is important to be prepared year-round. Individuals and families should prepare in advance to avoid scrambling to prepare last minute, or learning they are too late to prepare," said Ramsey.
About Atrium Health Navicent
Atrium Health Navicent, the leading provider of healthcare in central and south Georgia, is committed to its mission of elevating health and wellbeing through compassionate care. Providing more than 1,000 beds and offering care in 53 specialties at more than 50 facilities throughout the region, Atrium Health Navicent provides care for healthcare consumers' through an academic medical center; community, pediatric and rehabilitation hospitals; urgent care centers; physician practices; diagnostic centers; home health; hospice and palliative care; and a life plan community. Atrium Health Navicent is dedicated to enhancing health and wellness for individuals throughout the region through nationally recognized quality care, community health initiatives and collaborative partnerships. For more information, please visit www.navicenthealth.org.