National Preparedness Month, which is recognized each September, is just around the corner. The city of Las Vegas is joining in this nationwide effort designed to raise awareness about how important it is to be prepared for any kind of emergency. The City Council will proclaim September as National Preparedness Month at its Wednesday, Sept. 5, meeting. The city will also be airing a 30-minute special on KCLV Channel 2 that will focus on preparedness for family and businesses as well as children returning to school.

Make sure you and your family are prepared for any situation by following a few simple tips.

Prepare An Emergency Kit
This kit should include a number of supplies in order to survive for at least 3 days if an emergency should occur. These items include, among other things, water, food, a first aid kit, a battery operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries. A list of suggested items can be found on the ready.gov Web site , but individuals are urged to assess their own situations for any unique needs.

Make A Plan
Make sure you have a family communications plan. Have an evacuation plan as well as a shelter-in-place plan. If there are places that you frequent such as daycare or school, be knowledgeable about their particular plans as well. Ready.gov includes several sample templates that you can use to create your own communications plan.

Be Informed
Be informed and knowledgeable about the types of emergencies that can occur in your area. Furthermore, learn about the various emergency plans that are in place by your local and state government. This includes being prepared for both natural and man-made disasters.

Get Involved
Get involved in citizen groups such as Citizen Corps and learn helpful skills such as first aid and CPR.

For more information, visit the following Web sites.
Ready.gov
American Red Cross
Citizen Corps 
Department of Homeland Security