JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
National Preparedness Month, recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This year, we will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.
Last week, we talked about making and practicing your plan. This second installment of the National Preparedness month articles is going to talk about some important lifesaving skills you may need in times of crisis.
Learn Life Saving Skills:
Learning basic lifesaving skills can transform your role during a disaster or emergency. One very basic skill to learn is how to shut off utilities in your home. If you have advance notice of a natural disaster, it is a good idea to turn off your gas, electric and water. Keep in mind however, if you decided to shut these off for safety reasons you may need to contact the utility company to turn them back on.
It’s important to make sure your family has the skills to get through a disaster, and this goes back to planning, preparing, and practicing. Learning basic first aid and CPR is also an important skill to have. While military members receive this training annually, it’s worth looking into this for family members. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class will allow you to see a variety of first aid and CPR classes in your area.
Proper planning and preparation can mean the difference between life and death in a disaster. Ready.gov. Check it out, you’ll be glad you did!